What This Bill Does · Plain English
Summary · Congress.gov
This bill authorizes the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to extend construction deadlines for hydropower projects that were issued a license before March 13, 2020. FERC is authorized, upon the request of the licensees, to extend the deadline for beginning construction on such projects an additional six years beyond the eight-year extension FERC is authorized to provide under current law. The extension must consist of no more than three consecutive two-year periods. The bill also provides that FERC may reinstate certain expired licenses for projects with construction deadlines extended under this bill, effective as of the date they expire.
Action Timeline
2026-02-02
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 408.
2026-02-02
Reported by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 119-477.
2026-02-02
Reported by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 119-477.
2026-01-21
Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 44 - 0.
2026-01-21
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
2025-03-11
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
2025-03-11
Introduced in House
2025-03-11
Introduced in House
Frequently Asked Questions
Did HR.2072 pass?
HR.2072 is still alive. Current stage: REPORTED. Pass likelihood: 45%.
What does HR.2072 do?
This bill authorizes the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to extend construction deadlines for hydropower projects that were issued a license before March 13, 2020. FERC is authorized, upon the request of the licensees, to extend the deadline for beginning construction on such projects an additional six years beyond the eight-year extension FERC is authorized to provide under current law. The extension must consist of no more than three consecutive two-year periods. The bill also provides that FERC may reinstate certain expired licenses for projects with construction deadlines exten…
Who sponsored HR.2072?
HR.2072 was sponsored by Dan Newhouse (R-Washington).
Full Bill Text
119 HR 2072 RH: To require the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to extend the time period during which licensees are required to commence construction of certain hydropower projects. U.S. House of Representatives 2026-02-02 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. IB Union Calendar No. 408 119th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 2072 [Report No. 119–477] IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES March 11, 2025 Mr. Newhouse (for himself, Mr. Fulcher , Mr. Baumgartner , and Mr. Fields ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce February 2, 2026 Additional sponsors: Ms. Letlow , Mr. Deluzio , Ms. Lee of Pennsylvania , Mr. Begich , Mr. Ruiz , and Ms. Schrier February 2, 2026 Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union and ordered to be printed A BILL To require the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to extend the time period during which licensees are required to commence construction of certain hydropower projects. 1. Extension of time to commence construction of certain hydropower projects (a) Definition of covered project In this section, the term covered project means a hydropower project with respect to which the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission issued a license before March 13, 2020. (b) Authorization of extension Notwithstanding section 13 of the Federal Power Act ( 16 U.S.C. 806 ), on the request of a licensee of a covered project, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission may, after reasonable notice and for good cause shown, extend in accordance with subsection (c) the period during which the licensee is required to commence construction of the covered project for not more than an additional 6 years beyond the 8 years authorized by that section. (c) Period of extension An extension of time to commence construction of a covered project under subsection (b) shall— (1) consist of not more than 3 consecutive 2-year periods; (2) begin on the date on which the final extension of the period for commencement of construction granted to the licensee under section 13 of the Federal Power Act ( 16 U.S.C. 806 ) expires; and (3) end on the date that is not more than 6 years after the latest date to which the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is authorized to extend the period for commencement of construction under that section. (d) Reinstatement of Expired License If the time period required under section 13 of the Federal Power Act ( 16 U.S.C. 806 ) to commence construction of a covered project expires after December 31, 2023, and before the date of enactment of this Act— (1) the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission may reinstate the license for the applicable project effective as of the date of expiration of the license; and (2) the extension authorized under subsection (b) shall take effect on the date of that expiration. February 2, 2026 Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union and ordered to be printed
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