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Congress·Passed Both·S. 1020

A bill to require the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to extend the time period during which licensees are required to commence construction of certain hydropower projects.

Hydropower Construction: Deadline Extensions for New Projects

Legislative Progress

Senate
House
President
Law

Key Points

  • This bill allows the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to give hydropower companies more time to start building their projects. Usually, these companies have a strict deadline to begin construction, but this change lets them ask for extra time if they can show a good reason for the delay.
  • The extension applies to hydropower projects that received their federal licenses before March 13, 2020. These projects can now receive up to six additional years to start construction, which is added on top of the eight years already allowed by current law.
  • If a project's license expired after December 31, 2023, because they could not start building in time, the government can now restart that license. This ensures that projects that were close to starting do not have to go through the entire multi-year licensing process all over again.
  • This policy helps protect investments in renewable energy. Building large water-power facilities is complicated and often faces unexpected delays; this extra time helps ensure these clean energy sources eventually make it onto the power grid to provide electricity for homes and businesses.

Impact Analysis

Govbase has not yet run an impact analysis on this legislation.

Milestones

4 milestones17 actions
Apr 21, 2026House

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

Apr 21, 2026House

On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 394 - 14 (Roll no. 129). (text: CR H3024)

The House fast-tracked this bill — limited debate, no amendments allowed, but needs two-thirds support to pass.

Apr 21, 2026

Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 394 - 14 (Roll no. 129).

The House fast-tracked this bill — limited debate, no amendments allowed, but needs two-thirds support to pass.

Apr 21, 2026House

Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H3026-3027)

Apr 21, 2026House

At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.

Vote Results

1 vote
HousePassedProceduralApr 21, 2026

On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass

394
14
Democrat
2070 · 6
Republican
18614 · 16
Independent
10
View full roll call

News

No related news coverage found for this legislation yet.

Source Information

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

A bill to require the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to extend the time period during which licensees are required to commence construction of certain hydropower projects.

Bill NumberS 1020
Congress119th Congress
ChamberSenate
Latest ActionMotion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

Sponsor

Cosponsors

(7)
D: 1R: 6

Analysis generated by AI. Always verify with official sources.