National Dam and Hydropower Safety Improvements Act of 2026

This bill changes the Federal Power Act to add dam safety rules for hydropower projects licensed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). It would add a license condition that dams meet FERC's dam safety requirements and are run in a way that ensures dam and public safety. When a license is renewed, FERC could issue the new license only if the dam meets safety requirements or the license includes a plan to fix any noncompliance. FERC would have to set procedures to check whether license applicants can afford to meet safety requirements, hold a dam safety technical conference with states by October 1, 2027, and notify states and share records about dams with required repairs, unfinished repairs, or licenses being revoked or surrendered.

Full text and official record on Congress.gov

Sponsors

• Debbie Dingell Democrat sponsor
• 1 cosponsors