FLOWS Act

This bill changes the Federal Power Act's rules for hydropower projects licensed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). It would require FERC approval only for substantial changes to project works or operations, and would not require approval for routine maintenance, repair, or replacement, or for temporary changes caused by events outside the licensee's control. FERC would have to propose and then finalize rules defining these categories. The bill also creates a separate licensing process for small hydrokinetic projects of up to 5 megawatts that use waves, tides, currents, or free-flowing water without dams, with licenses of 10 to 20 years and a 1-year deadline for FERC decisions.

Full text and official record on Congress.gov

Sponsors

• Nicholas A. Langworthy Republican sponsor
• 1 cosponsors