Summary

Allows the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to grant additional time for certain hydropower license holders to start construction. Specifically, owners of hydropower licenses issued before March 13, 2020 can ask FERC for up to six extra years beyond the standard 8‑year commencement period, with those extra years structured as up to three consecutive 2‑year extensions; FERC may also reinstate some licenses that recently expired.

• FERC can grant up to a 6‑year additional extension to start construction for hydropower licenses issued before March 13, 2020.
• Extensions are discretionary and require a licensee request, reasonable notice, and a showing of good cause.
• Additional time may be structured as up to three consecutive 2‑year extensions.
• Extensions must begin when the final existing section‑13 period would have expired and cannot extend beyond the 6‑year cap.
• Licenses that expired after Dec 31, 2023 and before enactment may be reinstated effective as of their expiration dates.
• The measure affects license timing and project planning but does not change funding, tax rules, or core environmental review statutes.