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H.R. 4696 115th Congress House

Promoting Hydropower Development at Existing Nonpowered Dams Act

Official title: To amend the Federal Power Act to promote hydropower development at existing nonpowered dams, and for other purposes.

Introduced: December 20, 2017 See on congress.gov
Energy Alternative and renewable resourcesDams and canalsElectric power generation and transmissionEnvironmental assessment, monitoring, research
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Floods and storm protectionLicensing and registrationsUser charges and feesWater use and supply
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This bill died when the 115th Congress ended
It never became law before the 115th Congress (2017–2018) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 3 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Dec 22, 2017
Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy.
Dec 20, 2017
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Dec 20, 2017
Introduced in House
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 Latest action December 22, 2017

Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Promoting Hydropower Development at Existing Nonpowered Dams Act

This bill amends the Federal Power Act to authorize the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to establish an expedited process for issuing and amending licenses and preliminary permits for new hydropower facilities at existing nonpowered dams.

Before licensing the hydropower facility, FERC must assess the safety of existing nonfederal dams and other nonfederal structures.

Licensees of hydropower facility are not required to pay an annual charge for administrative expenses until construction commences.

 Related & companion bills 3
  • S 3021 America's Water Infrastructure Act of 2018
  • S 2655 Promoting Hydropower Development and Jobs Act
  • HR 2872 Promoting Hydropower Development at Existing Nonpowered Dams Act
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 4696: Promoting Hydropower Development at Existing Nonpowered Dams Act. 115th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/115-HR-4696/
MLA
"H.R. 4696: Promoting Hydropower Development at Existing Nonpowered Dams Act." 115th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/115-HR-4696/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 4696, 115th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/115-HR-4696/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 4696: Promoting Hydropower Development at Existing Nonpowered Dams Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/115-HR-4696/)
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