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.
| Action Date | Type | Text | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017-11-09 | IntroReferral | Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. | Senate |
| 2017-11-08 | Floor | Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection. | House floor actions |
| 2017-11-08 | Vote | On passage Passed by recorded vote: 257 - 166 (Roll no. 620). (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H8630-8633) | House floor actions |
| 2017-11-08 | Floor | 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. | House floor actions |
| 2017-11-08 | Floor | The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule. | House floor actions |
| 2017-11-08 | Floor | The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 3043. | House floor actions |
| 2017-11-08 | Floor | 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. | House floor actions |
| 2017-11-08 | Floor | The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration. | House floor actions |
| 2017-11-08 | Floor | Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H8641-8642) | House floor actions |
| 2017-11-08 | Floor | Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union rises leaving H.R. 3043 as unfinished business. | House floor actions |
| 2017-11-08 | Floor | On motion that the Committee rise Agreed to by voice vote. | House floor actions |
| 2017-11-08 | Floor | Mr. Upton moved that the Committee rise. | House floor actions |
| 2017-11-08 | Floor | 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. | House floor actions |
| 2017-11-08 | Floor | 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. | House floor actions |
| 2017-11-08 | Floor | 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. | House floor actions |
| 2017-11-08 | Floor | 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. | House floor actions |
| 2017-11-08 | Floor | 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. | House floor actions |
| 2017-11-08 | Floor | GENERAL DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 3043. | House floor actions |
| 2017-11-08 | Floor | The Speaker designated the Honorable Randy Hultgren to act as Chairman of the Committee. | House floor actions |
| 2017-11-08 | Floor | House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 607 and Rule XVIII. | House floor actions |
| 2017-11-08 | Floor | 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. | House floor actions |
| 2017-11-08 | Floor | Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 607. (consideration: CR H8614-8641) | House floor actions |
| 2017-11-06 | Floor | 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. | House floor actions |
| 2017-10-31 | Calendars | Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 277. | House floor actions |
| 2017-10-31 | Discharge | Committee on Oversight and Government discharged. | House floor actions |
| 2017-10-31 | Committee | Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 115-377, Part I. | House floor actions |
| 2017-06-28 | Committee | Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote. | House committee actions |
| 2017-06-28 | Committee | Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held. | House committee actions |
| 2017-06-23 | IntroReferral | 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. | House floor actions |
| 2017-06-23 | IntroReferral | 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. | House floor actions |
| 2017-06-23 | IntroReferral | Introduced in House | Library of Congress |