The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee approved S. 3518, the FLOWS Act, which would amend the Federal Power Act to remove the requirement for hydropower projects to seek Federal Energy Regulatory Commission approval for routine maintenance or non-substantial alterations.
Currently, these must be approved by FERC, a process that results in months-long delays and unnecessary costs. It would also allow FERC to issue shorter-term licenses of 10-20 years to micro hydrokinetic projects.
APPA supports this legislation.
