H.R. 3043 - 115th Congress (2017-2018) - Hydropower Policy Modernization Act of 2017

This 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, license amendment, or exemption.

The 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.

The bill authorizes the use of trial-type hearings to resolve disputes related to a hydropower license application. Under certain circumstances, the hearing may be demanded by applicants or other parties for any disputed issues of material fact.

FERC must consult with federal and state agencies and the public to compile best practices for performing studies and environmental reviews in connection with the timely and efficient completion of hydropower license proceedings.

The bill creates a process to approve license amendments for qualifying hydropower projects.

Text (4)

November 9, 2017

November 8, 2017

October 31, 2017

June 23, 2017

Amendments (4)

Nov 08, 2017

Not Agreed to in House

Sponsorship

House Amendment 481

Amendment sought to add a new section to the Federal Power Act (FPA) to improve the hydropower licensing process. It sought to direct the Commission and the Federal resource agencies to convene a negotiated rulemaking within 90 days of enactment with named stakeholders to develop a process that would coordinate necessary authorizations and enable the Commission to make a final decision on a license not later than 3 years of receiving a completed license application.

Active

Nov 08, 2017

Agreed to in House

Sponsorship

House Amendment 480

An amendment numbered 3 printed in House Report 115-391 to ensure that when hydro projects have an existing Memorandum of Understanding for non-federal hydropower with FERC that all relevant federal agencies are authorized to fully study and review the potential expansion of non-federal hydropower, including a review of seasonal pool levels and slowing flood releases.

Agreed To

Nov 08, 2017

Agreed to in House

Sponsorship

House Amendment 479

An amendment numbered 2 printed in House Report 115-391 to allow FERC to examine the licenses of any project located in an area that was declared by the President to be a disaster area in 2017.

Agreed To

Nov 08, 2017

Agreed to in House

Sponsorship

House Amendment 478

An amendment numbered 1 printed in House Report 115-391 to require the U.S. Department of Interior consider the threat of invasive species when it makes decisions on hydropower licensing.

Agreed To

Actions (31)

Show Only Major Actions

11/09/2017

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

11/08/2017

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

11/08/2017

On passage Passed by recorded vote: 257 - 166 (Roll no. 620). (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H8630-8633)

11/08/2017

Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by recorded vote: 257 - 166 (Roll no. 620).(text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H8630-8633)

11/08/2017

The House adopted the amendment in the nature of a substitute as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.

11/08/2017

The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.

11/08/2017

The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 3043.

11/08/2017

UNFINISHED BUSINESS - The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question on adoption of amendments which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.

11/08/2017

The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.

11/08/2017

Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H8641-8642)

11/08/2017

Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union rises leaving H.R. 3043 as unfinished business.

11/08/2017

On motion that the Committee rise Agreed to by voice vote.

11/08/2017

Mr. Upton moved that the Committee rise.

11/08/2017

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Rush amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Rush demanded a recorded vote, and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.

11/08/2017

DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 607, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Rush amendment No. 4.

11/08/2017

DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 607, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Jenkins (WV) amendment No. 3.

11/08/2017

DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 607, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Babin amendment No. 2.

11/08/2017

DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 607, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Grothman amendment No. 1.

11/08/2017

GENERAL DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 3043.

11/08/2017

The Speaker designated the Honorable Randy Hultgren to act as Chairman of the Committee.

11/08/2017

House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 607 and Rule XVIII.

11/08/2017

Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 3043 and H.R. 3441. Measure will be considered read. The resolution provides for one hour of debate on H.R. 3043. The resolution makes in order only those further amendments printed in the report and one motion to recommit with or without instructions. Also, the resolution provides for one hour of debate on H.R. 3441 with one motion to recommit with or without instructions.

11/08/2017

Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 607. (consideration: CR H8614-8641)

11/06/2017

Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 607 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 3043 and H.R. 3441. Measure will be considered read. The resolution provides for one hour of debate on H.R. 3043. The resolution makes in order only those further amendments printed in the report and one motion to recommit with or without instructions. Also, the resolution provides for one hour of debate on H.R. 3441 with one motion to recommit with or without instructions.

10/31/2017

Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 277.

10/31/2017

Committee on Oversight and Government discharged.

10/31/2017

Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 115-377, Part I.

06/28/2017

Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.

06/28/2017

Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

06/23/2017

Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, 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.

06/23/2017

Introduced in House

Public Record

Record Updated

Jan 11, 2023 1:37:45 PM