Hydropower Clean Energy Future Act
The Hydropower Clean Energy Future Act (HR 4045) designates hydropower as an essential renewable resource in federal programs and modifies definitions to explicitly include it in renewable energy standards. It creates exemptions for small hydropower projects (up to 40 megawatts) from certain licensing requirements and establishes an expedited licensing process for "next-generation" hydropower projects using newer technologies not in widespread use. The bill also requires a report on market barriers to hydropower development, modernizes the licensing process with specific timelines (including 2-year deadlines for final licensing decisions), and promotes development at existing non-powered dams and closed-loop pumped storage facilities. This legislation directly affects hydropower developers, federal agencies, and state governments involved in energy regulation and environmental review processes.
Bill status
in committee
1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jun 2023
Committee Review
Floor Vote
President
Introduced Jun 12, 2023
Last action Dec 5, 2023
Floor votes
How they voted
No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
8
Key actions
4
Committee
6
Amendments
1
Dec 5, 2023
Introduced
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 28 - 19.
lower
Dec 5, 2023
Lower · Passed
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
lower
Oct 25, 2023
Lower · Passed
Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 16 - 12.
lower
Oct 25, 2023
Lower · Passed
Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
lower
Oct 24, 2023
Lower · Passed
Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
lower
Jun 16, 2023
Committee
Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy, Climate and Grid Security.
lower
Jun 12, 2023
Committee
Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Oversight and Accountability, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
lower
Jun 12, 2023
Introduced
Introduced in House
lower
1 primary · 1 co-sponsor
Sponsors
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