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Read. Follow. Verify.Proposed Extension for Hydropower Project Construction Deadlines
Last action · February 2, 2026: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 408.Sponsors: Dan Newhouse and 9 others
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What This Bill Would Do
H.R. 2072 would allow the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to grant extensions for starting construction on certain hydropower projects that were licensed before March 13, 2020. The bill provides a mechanism to extend construction deadlines by up to six years beyond current legal limits.
This bill changes the legal deadlines for specific energy infrastructure projects, potentially allowing developers to delay construction starts by up to six years if they meet FERC requirements.
Who It Would Affect
Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
Hydropower project licensees
These entities may request extensions to their construction commencement deadlines.
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
The agency is tasked with reviewing extension requests and potentially reinstating expired licenses.
Key Facts
- The bill applies to 'covered projects,' defined as hydropower projects licensed by FERC before March 13, 2020.
- FERC is authorized to extend the construction commencement deadline by up to 6 years beyond the standard 8-year limit set in the Federal Power Act.
- Extensions must be granted in up to three consecutive 2-year periods.
- Extensions are subject to a request from the licensee, reasonable notice, and a showing of good cause.
Show all 6 facts
- The bill allows for the reinstatement of licenses that expired between December 31, 2023, and the date of the bill's enactment.
- If a license is reinstated, the extension period is retroactively effective to the date the license originally expired.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which projects qualify for this extension?
How much extra time can a project developer get?
What happens if a license already expired?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Currently on floor. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Passed.
Procedural history
6 actions- Feb 2, 2026HousePlaced on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 408.
- Feb 2, 2026HouseCommitteeReported by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 119-477.
- Jan 21, 2026HouseCommitteeOrdered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 44 - 0.
- Jan 21, 2026HouseCommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- Mar 11, 2025HouseCommitteeReferred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- Mar 11, 2025HouseIntroducedIntroduced in House
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
Retroactive License Reinstatement
The bill includes a specific provision to revive licenses that expired as recently as late 2023, indicating a legislative intent to prevent project abandonment due to recent delays.
Connected Entities
Sources
www.congress.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance40How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy20Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment5Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz10Current news / social attention level
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