U.S. Senators Propose Bill to Streamline Hydropower Licensing and Reduce Costs
U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski, Steve Daines, and Jim Risch have introduced the Hydropower Licensing Affordability Act to the Senate. This legislation aims to reform the Federal Power Act to reduce the delays and costs associated with hydropower licensing. The bill proposes limiting mandatory conditions for hydropower licenses to those directly related to the adverse effects of the project. Currently, natural resource agencies can impose mandatory conditions that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) cannot reject, regardless of their relevance or cost. The senators argue that 40% of U.S. hydropower is up for relicensing by 2030, and the current process is burdensome and expensive, threatening the viability of hydropower projects. 
