U.S. FEDRegulation
Trump signs Hydropower Licensing Transparency Act requiring annual FERC reports
President Trump signed the Hydropower Licensing Transparency Act (H.R. 3657) on September 25, 2026. The law requires the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to report to Congress within 180 days, and annually thereafter, on pending hydropower license applications for which applicants gave at least three years’ notice of intent to apply, listing each docket, its status and the anticipated issuance date. Sponsored by Rep. Kim Schrier, the bipartisan bill took effect on signing; no public law number had yet been assigned.
Enrolled text (GovInfo (U.S. Government Publishing Office)) → · The White House, Congress.gov, Renewable Energy World
Key points
- FERC must report to Congress on outstanding hydropower licensing applications, per the enrolled text and the White House statement.GovInfo (U.S. Government Publishing Office)The White House
- The first report is due within 180 days of enactment, then annually.GovInfo (U.S. Government Publishing Office)
- Reports cover relicensing and new-license applications with at least three years’ advance notice on file, with docket, status and anticipated issuance date.GovInfo (U.S. Government Publishing Office)
- Relicensing takes an average of seven to ten years, according to Renewable Energy World citing industry data.Renewable Energy World
- House sponsors were Reps. Kim Schrier and Russ Fulcher; the Senate companion was led by Sens. Daines and Cortez Masto, Renewable Energy World reported.Renewable Energy World
Sources4 articles across 4 outlets
Congress.gov
GovInfo (U.S. Government Publishing Office)
Renewable Energy World
The White House