CONGRESS FOR VOTERS

RepublicanBill · H.R. 9337· House(119-HR-9337)

Hydropower Licensing Affordability Act

Rep. Bentz
Age: 74 years
Oregon
Introduced
6/18/2026
Last activity
6/18/2026 — Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Sponsored by
Cliff Bentz
Cosponsors
Republican - 30Democrat - 0
Energy
  1. Introduced
  2. In Committee

What this bill would do

This bill is called the Hydropower Licensing Affordability Act, and it was introduced in the House of Representatives on June 18, 2026. The legislation aims to amend the Federal Power Act to modernize how hydropower licenses are processed. Specifically, the bill focuses on the scope of federal reservation license conditions and prescribed fishways. It limits certain requirements to only apply when they reasonably mitigate direct adverse effects. This is meant to keep our elected officials and federal processes accountable regarding hydropower projects.

Yes· 3 of 7

  • Would business owners be better off under this?+4

    Reduces the regulatory and financial burden on hydropower project owners.

  • Does this put more money into wind, solar and other renewable power?+3

    Modernizing and reducing the cost of licensing encourages investment in hydropower projects.

  • Is this likely to grow the economy?+2

    Streamlining licensing processes for hydropower can reduce costs for energy producers and encourage project development.

The opposite· 3 of 4

  • Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?-4

    The bill narrows the scope of fishway and reservation protections to only 'direct adverse effects'.

  • Would Native Americans be better off under this?-3

    Restricting license conditions on reservations to only direct adverse effects may reduce protections for tribal lands.

  • Does this give the federal government more power?-2

    The bill limits the scope of federal agency requirements for licensing conditions.