To require the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to extend the time period during which licensees are required to commence construction of certain hydropower projects.

This bill gives certain hydropower projects more time to start building. If a project already has a federal license that was issued before March 13, 2020, the energy regulator (FERC) could grant up to six extra years to begin construction. Those extra years would come in up to three, two‑year blocks. This is on top of the time already allowed under current law.

If a project’s license ran out after December 31, 2023 but before this bill becomes law, FERC could bring that license back and then apply the new extra time from the date it expired.

Key points

• Who is affected: Hydropower projects with licenses issued before March 13, 2020, and some recent expired licenses.
• What changes: FERC may add up to six more years to start construction, split into three two‑year periods; it may also reinstate certain recently expired licenses.
• Why it matters: Projects get a longer runway to begin work, which could keep planned clean energy projects alive in some communities.