National Dam and Hydropower Safety Improvements Act of 2020

National Dam and Hydropower Safety Improvements Act of 2020

This bill requires the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to take certain actions related to dam safety.

Specifically, the commission may issue a license for a dam and other project works only if the project meets the relevant safety requirements and the licensee can operate and manage the project works in a manner that ensures dam and public safety. A licensee with an already-issued license must also meet these safety requirements.

The commission shall also establish procedures to assess the financial viability of an applicant for such a license.

The commission's Office of Energy Projects must notify a state in certain situations, such as when the commission issues a finding that requires a dam operator in that state to make repairs.

The commission must also (1) hold a conference with states to discuss dam safety issues, and (2) report to Congress an assessment of the failures of the Edenville and Sanford dams in Michigan.