S. 1020Awaiting SignatureENERGY
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.
Alternative and renewable resources · Dams and canals · Electric power generation and transmission
Key facts
Introduced: Mar 13, 2025
Chamber: Senate
Cosponsors: 7
Congress: 119th
Latest action · Apr 30, 2026
Presented to President.
Summary
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.
Summary by Congressional Research Service.
Floor Votes
House Roll Call #129 · Apr 21, 2026
House Roll Call #129 · Apr 21, 2026
Timeline
- Apr 30, 2026Presented to President.
- Apr 30, 2026Presented to President.
- Apr 21, 2026Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- Apr 21, 2026On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 394 - 14 (Roll no. 129). (text: CR H3024)
- Apr 21, 2026Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 394 - 14 (Roll no. 129). (text: CR H3024)
- Apr 21, 2026Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H3026-3027)
- Apr 21, 2026At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
- Apr 21, 2026DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 1020.
- Apr 21, 2026Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H3024-3025)
- Apr 21, 2026Mrs. Harshbarger moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
- Aug 1, 2025Held at the desk.
- Aug 1, 2025Received in the House.
- Aug 1, 2025Message on Senate action sent to the House.
- Jul 29, 2025Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S4797-4798; text: CR S4797-4798)
- Jul 29, 2025Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S4797-4798; text: CR S4797-4798)
- Jul 29, 2025Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources discharged by Unanimous Consent.
- Jul 29, 2025Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources discharged by Unanimous Consent.
- Mar 13, 2025Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- Mar 13, 2025Introduced in Senate
Cosponsors
In the News
- How They Voted (Congress) - highlandscurrent.org
- Vaccines, budget cuts and affordability: Takeaways from RFK Jr.’s gauntlet of congressional hearings - Audacy
- House Passes Hydropower Bill 394-14 - Legis1
- Press Release: Lawmakers and Industry Groups Support Rep. Dan Newhouse's Hydropower Legislation Following House Passage - Quiver Quantitative
- House Passes Emergency Reporting Act 386-7 - Legis1
- Congress sends hydropower licensing bill to Trump - E&E News by POLITICO
- New Bipartisan Hydroelectric Bill Aims To Kickstart 40 Energy Projects Nationwide - NewsRadio 560 KPQ
- Press Release: House Approves Build More Hydro Bill Sponsored by Rep. Dan Newhouse, Heads to President's Desk - Quiver Quantitative
- House Passes Newhouse/Daines Bill to Build More Hydro, Heads to President's Desk - Congressman Dan Newhouse (.gov)
- Congress Vote: The House has passed S. 1020 - Quiver Quantitative
View official record on Congress.gov →