Hydropower Licensing Transparency Act

This bill would amend the Federal Power Act to increase transparency in the hydropower relicensing process. Specifically, it would require the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to submit annual reports to Congress detailing the status of ongoing hydropower relicensing applications. These reports would cover applications where existing dam operators have indicated intent to reapply for licenses, as well as new license applications from other entities, provided they gave at least three years' notice of their intent to apply.

The reports would include key information such as the date of notice to apply, case numbers, whether applications have been filed, anticipated license issuance dates, upcoming proceedings, and descriptions of actions taken by FERC, licensees, and relevant agencies. Hydropower dams must obtain new licenses from FERC every 30 to 50 years to continue operating. The bill aims to address concerns that the relicensing process takes an extended period—often seven to ten years—and would provide Congress and the public with better visibility into the progress and status of pending relicensing cases.