Bill · S. 3518· Senate(119-S-3518)
FLOWS Act
- Introduced
- 12/17/2025
- Last activity
- 6/10/2026 — Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
- Sponsored by
- Lisa Murkowski
- Cosponsors
- - 1 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The FLOWS Act aims to amend the Federal Power Act regarding water structure operations and energy projects. It seeks to reduce the need for Commission approval for certain non-substantial alterations, routine maintenance, or temporary operational adjustments. Additionally, the bill establishes a new framework for licensing micro hydrokinetic energy projects. These projects convert energy from waves, tides, currents, or free-flowing water into electricity with a capacity of 5 megawatts or less. The act includes provisions for an expedited licensing process for these specific energy projects.
Yes
Does this put more money into wind, solar and other renewable power?+6
The bill establishes an expedited licensing process specifically for micro hydrokinetic energy projects.
Would business owners be better off under this?+5
The bill streamlines the permitting and maintenance processes for energy project operators.
Does this make it easier to run a small business?+5
The bill reduces regulatory burdens by allowing certain non-substantial alterations and routine maintenance without Commission approval.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Reduced Regulatory Burdens for Water Structures: Licensees would not need to seek Commission approval for nonsubstantial alterations or additions to project works (Section 2(a)).
-
Efficiency in Maintenance: The bill allows for routine maintenance, repair, or replacement of project works, as well as seasonal or temporary adjustments due to circumstances beyond the licensee's control, without requiring Commission approval (Section 2(b)).
-
Expedited Deployment of Micro Hydrokinetic Energy: The bill establishes a specific, expedited licensing process for micro hydrokinetic energy projects to help them get deployed (Section 3(c) and Section 3(d)).
-
Streamlined Permitting for Small Energy Projects: The Commission is directed to create regulations that include the use of categorical exclusions under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 for low disturbance activities (Section 3(d)(2)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No specific negative impacts are explicitly detailed in the text provided.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Increases Renewable Energy Investment+6
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Business Owners+5
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Small Business Support+5
- 6/10/2026
- Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
- 5/20/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/17/2026
- Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water and Power. Hearings held.
- 12/17/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Steve DainesRepublican · Montana
Angus KingIndependent · Maine