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This bill would reform the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s (FERC) reviews and procedures for approving licenses to build and operate hydroelectric power facilities. It would make FERC the lead agency for all hydropower authorizations, approvals, and requirements mandated by federal law while minimizing the duplication of studies. Additionally, it would modify the definition of renewable energy to include hydropower, extend the timeframe for a preliminary permit from 3 to 4 years, and extend the time limit for construction “for not more than 8 additional years.”

Procedures would be established for trial-type hearings conducted by an Administrative Law Judge to resolve disputes about conditions and fishway requirements under the Federal Power Act.

Reforms contained in this bill would have no impact on the Clean Water Act, the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, the Endangered Species Act, Rivers and Harbors Act, and the National Historic Preservation Act.

","official_title":"To modernize hydropower policy, and for other purposes.","short_title":"Hydropower Policy Modernization Act of 2017","popular_title":null,"short_summary":"Hydropower Policy Modernization Act of 2017\n\nThis bill designates the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) as the lead agency for coordinating all federal authorizations and reviews related to hydropower license applications, including compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969.FERC must establish a process to set a schedule for the review and disposition of each federal authorization following the filing of an application for a license.\n\nThe bill expands the definition of \"renewable energy\" to include electric energy generated from hydropower projects.The bill authorizes FERC to extend the length of time of preliminary permits and to extend the time limit that a licensee has to commence construction on a hydropower project.\n\nThe bill authorizes the use of trial-type hearings to resolve disputes related to a hydropower license application. 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Streamlining Permits for Hydropower Projects