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United States · Bill · HR

H.R. 3680 (112th)

Hydropower Regulatory Efficiency Act of 2011

referredUnited States· United States Congress· EN

Introduced

15 December 2011

Last action

3 January 2012 · Referred

Status

Referred to the Subcommittee on Water and Power.

Sponsors

Rep. McMorris Rodgers, Cathy [R-WA-5], Rep. DeGette, Diana [D-CO-1], Rep. Inslee, Jay [D-WA-1]

Subjects

Energy

Source updated

14 August 2025

Energy

Summary

Hydropower Regulatory Efficiency Act of 2011 - Amends the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (PURPA) to increase from 5,000 to 10,000 kilowatts the size of small hydroelectric power projects which the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) may exempt from its license requirements. Amends the Federal Power Act to revise the limitation on the maximum installation capacity of conduit hydroelectric facilities that are eligible for an exemption from licensing requirements. Waives license requirements for any conduit hydroelectric facility that: (1) uses only the hydroelectric potential of a non-federally owned conduit, (2) has an installed capacity that does not exceed 5 megawatts, and (3) is not currently licensed or exempted from license requirements. Redefines "conduit" to specify any tunnel, canal, pipeline, aqueduct, flume, ditch, or similar manmade water conveyance operated for the distribution of water for agricultural, municipal, or industrial consumption and not primarily for the generation of electricity. Authorizes FERC to: (1) grant an exemption from license requirements only to conduit hydroelectric facilities on non-federal land that have an installed capacity not exceeding 40 megawatts, and (2) extend the term of a preliminary permit once for up to 2 additional years if it finds that the permittee has carried out activities in good faith and with reasonable diligence. Directs FERC to: (1) investigate the feasibility of the issuance of a license for hydropower development at nonpowered dams and closed loop pumped storage projects during a two-year period, and (2) hold workshops and develop hydropower pilot projects. Directs the Secretary of Energy (DOE) to study: (1) the potential megawatts of hydropower that may be obtained from U.S. conduits; and (2) land well-suited for pumped storage sites and located near existing or potential sites of intermittent renewable resource development, such as wind farms. Directs the President to report to certain congressional committees on actions taken by DOE to implement the memorandum of understanding on hydropower entered into on March 24, 2010.

This text is taken from the official record. PoliticalRepo does not editorialize.

Timeline

  1. 15 December 2011

    Introduced

    Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure, Natural Resources, and Science, Space, and Technology, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

    Source: IntroReferral

  2. 15 December 2011

    Introduced

    Introduced in House

    Source: IntroReferral

  3. 15 December 2011

    Introduced

    Introduced in House

    Source: IntroReferral

  4. 16 December 2011

    Referred

    Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.

    Source: Committee

  5. 20 December 2011

    Referred

    Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Environment.

    Source: Committee

  6. 3 January 2012

    Referred

    Referred to the Subcommittee on Water and Power.

    Source: Committee

Votes

No vote records are attached yet.

Versions

Documents

3 official files

Introduced in House (text)

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  • Introduced in House (text)

    Introduced in House · EN · 15 December 2011

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  • Introduced in House (PDF)

    Introduced in House · EN · 15 December 2011

    ViewDownloadOpen at official source

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  • Introduced in House

    summary · EN · 15 December 2011

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Sponsors

Related records

Sources

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