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HR 2880 115th Congress House Energy Alternative and renewable resources Dams and canals Electric power generation and transmission Licensing and registrations Water storage

Promoting Closed-Loop Pumped Storage Hydropower Act

Introduced: June 12, 2017 Introduced by: Griffith, H. Morgan Republican · Virginia See on congress.gov
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 Everywhere this bill has been 15 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Dec 13, 2017
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Dec 12, 2017
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Dec 12, 2017
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H9812)
Dec 12, 2017
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H9812)
Dec 12, 2017
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2880.
Dec 12, 2017
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H9812-9814)
Dec 12, 2017
Mr. Upton moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Dec 11, 2017
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 340.
Dec 11, 2017
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 115-458.
Dec 6, 2017
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Dec 6, 2017
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Oct 26, 2017
Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote .
Jun 16, 2017
Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy.
Jun 12, 2017
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Jun 12, 2017
Introduced in House
 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Promoting Closed-Loop Pumped Storage Hydropower Act

(Sec. 2) This bill amends the Federal Power Act to authorize the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to establish an expedited licensing process for issuing and amending licenses and preliminary permits for closed-loop pumped storage projects (in which the upper and lower reservoirs do not impound or directly withdraw water from navigable waters, or that are not continuously connected to a naturally flowing water feature).

In establishing the expedited process, FERC shall convene an interagency task force with appropriate federal and state agencies and Indian tribes to coordinate the regulatory process associated with the authorizations required to construct and operate closed-loop pumped storage projects.

FERC must assess the safety of existing dams and other structures related to the project before issuing any license for a closed-loop storage project.

FERC must hold a workshop to explore potential opportunities for development of storage projects at abandoned mine sites.

FERC must also establish criteria that a project shall meet to qualify as a closed-loop pumped storage under this bill, including requiring that the project cause little to no change to existing surface and groundwater flows and uses and that the project is unlikely to adversely affect species listed as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act of 1973.

(Sec. 3) Licensees are not required to pay an annual charge for administrative expenses until construction commences.

What's happening now December 13, 2017

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

 Committees of jurisdiction 3