Public Law 119–90: To require the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to extend the time period during which licensees are required to commence construction of certain hydropower projects.Public Law90Public Law 119–90140 Stat. 8202026-05-112026-05-11United States Government Publishing OfficeNational Archives and Records AdministrationOffice of the Federal Registertext/xmlENPursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.GPO Locator to USLM Converter 4.15.31;Stage2.202507022026-05-18119publicPUBLIC LAW 119–90—MAY 11, 2026140 STAT. 820Public Law119–90119th CongressAn ActTo require the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to extend the time period during which licensees are required to commence construction of certain hydropower projects.
May 11, 2026
[S. 1020]
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
16 USC 806 note.
SECTION 1. EXTENSION OF TIME TO COMMENCE CONSTRUCTION OF CERTAIN HYDROPOWER PROJECTS.(a) Definition of Covered Project.—In this section, the term “covered project” means a hydropower project with respect to which the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission issued a license before March 13, 2020.(b) Authorization of Extension.—Notwithstanding section 13 of the Federal Power Act (16 U.S.C. 806), on the request of a licensee of a covered project, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission may, after reasonable notice and for good cause shown, extend in accordance with subsection (c) the period during which the licensee is required to commence construction of the covered project for not more than an additional 6 years beyond the 8 years authorized by that section.(c) Period of Extension.—An extension of time to commence construction of a covered project under subsection (b) shall—(1) consist of not more than 3 consecutive 2-year periods;(2) begin on the date on which the final extension of the period for commencement of construction granted to the licensee under section 13 of the Federal Power Act (16 U.S.C. 806) expires; and(3) end on the date that is not more than 6 years after the latest date to which the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is authorized to extend the period for commencement of construction under that section.(d) Reinstatement of Expired License.—If the time period required under section 13 of the Federal Power Act (16 U.S.C. 806) to commence construction of a covered project expires after December 31, 2023, and before the date of enactment of this Act—(1) the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission may reinstate the license for the applicable project effective as of the date of expiration of the license; and140 STAT. 821(2) the extension authorized under subsection (b) shall take effect on the date of that expiration.ApprovedMay 11, 2026.LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—S. 1020 (H.R. 2072):HOUSE REPORTS: ┐No. 119–477 (Comm. on Energy and Commerce) accompanying H.R. 2072.
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD:Vol. 171 (2025):