United States · Bill · HR
H.R. 5892 (112th)
Hydropower Regulatory Efficiency Act of 2012
Introduced
5 June 2012
Last action
10 July 2012 · Introduced
Status
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Sponsors
Rep. McMorris Rodgers, Cathy [R-WA-5], Rep. DeGette, Diana [D-CO-1], Rep. Smith, Lamar [R-TX-21], Rep. Matheson, Jim [D-UT-2], Rep. Dingell, John D. [D-MI-12], Rep. Latta, Robert E. [R-OH-5], Rep. Terry, Lee [R-NE-2], Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA], Rep. Walden, Greg [R-OR-2], Sen. Gardner, Cory [R-CO], Rep. Platts, Todd Russell [R-PA-19], Sen. Luján, Ben Ray [D-NM]
Subjects
Energy
Source updated
24 March 2026
Summary
Hydropower Regulatory Efficiency Act of 2012 - 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 qualifying conduit hydropower facilities that are eligible for an exemption from licensing requirements. Requires any person, state, or municipality proposing to construct a qualifying conduit hydropower facility to file with FERC a notice of intent to do so. Requires FERC, within 15 days after receiving such a notice of intent, to make an initial determination as to whether the facility meets the qualifying criteria. Waives license requirements for any conduit hydroelectric facility that: (1) uses for electric power generation only the hydroelectric potential of a non-federally owned conduit, (2) has a maximum installed capacity of 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) exempt from license requirements any electric power generation facility that utilizes for such generation only the hydroelectric potential of a conduit, and has an installed capacity or 40 megawatts or fewer; and (2) extend the preliminary permit period for up to 2 additional years beyond the 3 years otherwise allowed if it finds that the permittee has implemented activities under the permit in good faith and with reasonable diligence. Directs FERC to: (1) investigate the feasibility of issuing 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 technical flexibility that existing pumped storage facilities can provide to support intermittent renewable electric energy generation, including the potential for such facilities to be upgraded or retrofitted with advanced commercially available technology; and (2) the technical potential of existing pumped storage facilities and new advanced pumped storage facilities to provide grid reliability benefits.
This text is taken from the official record. PoliticalRepo does not editorialize.
Timeline
5 June 2012
Introduced
Introduced in House
Source: IntroReferral
5 June 2012
Introduced
Introduced in House
Source: IntroReferral
5 June 2012
Introduced
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Source: IntroReferral
8 June 2012
Referred
Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Power.
Source: Committee
20 June 2012
Reported
Ordered to be Reported.
Source: Committee
20 June 2012
Committee
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Source: Committee
29 June 2012
Calendars
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 404.
Source: Calendars
29 June 2012
Reported
Reported by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 112-563.
Source: Committee
29 June 2012
Reported
Reported by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 112-563.
Source: Committee
9 July 2012
Passed
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Source: Floor
9 July 2012
Vote
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 372 - 0 (Roll no. 454). (text: CR H4666-4668)
Source: Floor
9 July 2012
Vote
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): 372 - 0 (Roll no. 454).(text: CR H4666-4668)
Source: Floor
9 July 2012
Floor
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H4666-4670)
Source: Floor
9 July 2012
Vote
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.
Source: Floor
9 July 2012
Floor
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5892.
Source: Floor
9 July 2012
Floor
Mrs. McMorris Rodgers moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
Source: Floor
10 July 2012
Introduced
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Source: IntroReferral
Votes
No vote records are attached yet.
Versions
- Referred in Senate · 10 July 2012 · Download file
- Engrossed in House · 9 July 2012 · Download file
- Reported in House · 29 June 2012 · Download file
- Introduced in House · 5 June 2012 · Download file
Documents
11 official files
Referred in Senate (text)
This file cannot be previewed here. Use View or Download.
Leesvertaling
Vertaal dit document naar jouw taal. PoliticalRepo bewaart geen aparte kopie per EU-taal.
Documentvertaling op verzoek met downloadbare PDF (logo + link naar de officiële bron). Het bronbestand blijft leidend.
Referred in Senate (text)
Referred in Senate · EN · 10 July 2012
Referred in Senate (PDF)
Referred in Senate · EN · 10 July 2012
ViewDownloadOpen at official source
Leesvertaling
Vertaal dit document naar jouw taal. PoliticalRepo bewaart geen aparte kopie per EU-taal.
Documentvertaling op verzoek met downloadbare PDF (logo + link naar de officiële bron). Het bronbestand blijft leidend.
Engrossed in House (text)
Engrossed in House · EN · 9 July 2012
ViewDownloadOpen at official source
Leesvertaling
Vertaal dit document naar jouw taal. PoliticalRepo bewaart geen aparte kopie per EU-taal.
Documentvertaling op verzoek met downloadbare PDF (logo + link naar de officiële bron). Het bronbestand blijft leidend.
Engrossed in House (PDF)
Engrossed in House · EN · 9 July 2012
ViewDownloadOpen at official source
Leesvertaling
Vertaal dit document naar jouw taal. PoliticalRepo bewaart geen aparte kopie per EU-taal.
Documentvertaling op verzoek met downloadbare PDF (logo + link naar de officiële bron). Het bronbestand blijft leidend.
Passed House without amendment
summary · EN · 9 July 2012
Leesvertaling
Vertaal dit document naar jouw taal. PoliticalRepo bewaart geen aparte kopie per EU-taal.
Documentvertaling op verzoek met downloadbare PDF (logo + link naar de officiële bron). Het bronbestand blijft leidend.
Reported in House (text)
Reported in House · EN · 29 June 2012
ViewDownloadOpen at official source
Leesvertaling
Vertaal dit document naar jouw taal. PoliticalRepo bewaart geen aparte kopie per EU-taal.
Documentvertaling op verzoek met downloadbare PDF (logo + link naar de officiële bron). Het bronbestand blijft leidend.
Reported in House (PDF)
Reported in House · EN · 29 June 2012
ViewDownloadOpen at official source
Leesvertaling
Vertaal dit document naar jouw taal. PoliticalRepo bewaart geen aparte kopie per EU-taal.
Documentvertaling op verzoek met downloadbare PDF (logo + link naar de officiële bron). Het bronbestand blijft leidend.
Reported to House without amendment
summary · EN · 29 June 2012
Leesvertaling
Vertaal dit document naar jouw taal. PoliticalRepo bewaart geen aparte kopie per EU-taal.
Documentvertaling op verzoek met downloadbare PDF (logo + link naar de officiële bron). Het bronbestand blijft leidend.
Introduced in House (text)
Introduced in House · EN · 5 June 2012
ViewDownloadOpen at official source
Leesvertaling
Vertaal dit document naar jouw taal. PoliticalRepo bewaart geen aparte kopie per EU-taal.
Documentvertaling op verzoek met downloadbare PDF (logo + link naar de officiële bron). Het bronbestand blijft leidend.
Introduced in House (PDF)
Introduced in House · EN · 5 June 2012
ViewDownloadOpen at official source
Leesvertaling
Vertaal dit document naar jouw taal. PoliticalRepo bewaart geen aparte kopie per EU-taal.
Documentvertaling op verzoek met downloadbare PDF (logo + link naar de officiële bron). Het bronbestand blijft leidend.
Introduced in House
summary · EN · 5 June 2012
Leesvertaling
Vertaal dit document naar jouw taal. PoliticalRepo bewaart geen aparte kopie per EU-taal.
Documentvertaling op verzoek met downloadbare PDF (logo + link naar de officiële bron). Het bronbestand blijft leidend.
Sponsors
- Rep. McMorris Rodgers, Cathy [R-WA-5] · R · Sponsor
- Rep. DeGette, Diana [D-CO-1] · D · Sponsor
- Rep. Smith, Lamar [R-TX-21] · R · Sponsor
- Rep. Matheson, Jim [D-UT-2] · D · Sponsor
- Rep. Dingell, John D. [D-MI-12] · D · Sponsor
- Rep. Latta, Robert E. [R-OH-5] · R · Sponsor
- Rep. Terry, Lee [R-NE-2] · R · Sponsor
- Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA] · D · Sponsor
- Rep. Walden, Greg [R-OR-2] · R · Cosponsor
- Sen. Gardner, Cory [R-CO] · R · Cosponsor
- Rep. Platts, Todd Russell [R-PA-19] · R · Cosponsor
- Sen. Luján, Ben Ray [D-NM] · D · Cosponsor
- · sseg00 · Standing
- · hsif00 · Standing
Related records
- related to → Hydropower Regulatory Efficiency Act of 2011
- related to ← Hydropower Improvement Act of 2011
Sources
PoliticalRepo is an index and interpretation layer, not the authoritative legal source.
- Official source: https://www.congress.gov/bill/112th-congress/house-bill/5892
- Open data entity: https://api.congress.gov/v3/bill/112/hr/5892
- us · 112-hr-5892 · source updated 24 March 2026