Proposed
Bill · 119th Congress · S 3518
FLOWS Act
Refreshed 5 h ago
Introduced 2025-12-17Topic: energySummary
AI-generated summary, report an errorThis bill changes the Federal Power Act for hydropower projects. It would let license holders make minor changes to project works, do routine maintenance and repairs, and make seasonal or temporary operating adjustments without getting approval from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, while keeping the Commission's authority over dam safety and notice. It also creates a separate licensing process for small hydrokinetic projects of up to 5 megawatts that generate power from waves, tides, currents, or free-flowing water without damming it. Under this process, licenses would last 10 to 20 years, the Commission would have to act on applications within 1 year, and the Commission would write rules within 180 days that include categorical exclusions from certain environmental reviews for low-disturbance activities.
Sponsors
- Lisa Murkowski Republican sponsor
- 2 cosponsors
Action history
| Date | Chamber | Action | Status effect |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-06-10 | Senate | Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably. | refer |
| 2026-03-17 | Senate | Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water and Power. Hearings held. | refer |
| 2025-12-17 | Senate | Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. | refer |
| 2025-12-17 | Introduced in Senate | introduce |