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

Summary

Allows the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to give extra time to certain hydropower license holders to begin construction. Specifically, projects licensed before March 13, 2020 can receive up to an additional six years beyond the usual eight-year start window, awarded in up to three consecutive two-year increments for good cause and after notice. The bill also lets FERC reinstate licenses whose construction-commencement period expired after December 31, 2023 and before the law’s enactment, making the extension effective as of the original expiration date. The change is a regulatory timing relief for affected hydropower developers and related stakeholders; it does not appropriate new funds or change tax law.

• Allows FERC to extend the 8-year construction commencement deadline for hydropower licenses issued before March 13, 2020.
• Permits up to 6 additional years of extension, structured as up to three consecutive 2-year periods.
• Extensions are discretionary and require a licensee request, reasonable notice, and a finding of good cause.
• FERC may reinstate licenses whose commencement periods expired after Dec 31, 2023 and before enactment, with the extension effective as of the expiration date.
• Does not provide funding, change environmental review standards, or alter tax law.
• Extensions must begin when a prior allowable extension expires and cannot exceed statutory maximum dates tied to the Federal Power Act.
• Affects project timelines, permitting certainty, and potentially financing and local construction schedules.
• Applies only to hydropower projects licensed before March 13, 2020—not to newer licenses.