Energy (Hydroelectric · Rural Communities)

HR 7487, the Rural Jobs and Hydropower Expansion Act, expands hydropower development opportunities on Bureau of Reclamation water projects. It removes restrictions that previously limited hydropower to "small conduit" systems or pumped storage, now allowing all types of hydropower projects using Bureau facilities. The bill clarifies definitions for "transferred works facilities" (operated by non-federal entities) and "reserved works facilities," and updates rules for Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) authorizations to remain active until expired or renewed. This directly affects developers seeking to build hydropower projects on federal water infrastructure managed by the Bureau of Reclamation.