Lawmakers Back Speedier Dam Licenses for Grid, Climate Goals

Two senators announced Wednesday a fresh legislative effort to speed up hydropower licensing, arguing that looming dam closures threaten power grid reliability and climate goals. The Community and Hydropower Improvement Act from Sens. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) and Steve Daines (R-Mont.) proposes the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission establish a two-year process to grant licensing for adding hydropower to qualifying non-powered dams and a three-year process for lower-impact projects. It would direct the commission to establish a two-year licensing process for adding hydropower to non-powered dams, according to a bill summary and bill text shared with Bloomberg Law.