HR7487-119

What This Bill Does

The Rural Jobs and Hydropower Expansion Act amends section 9(c) of the Reclamation Project Act of 1939. It broadens existing hydropower language from small conduit hydropower and pumped-storage projects tied to Bureau of Reclamation reservoirs to hydropower using all Bureau of Reclamation facilities.

The bill updates terminology so the statute refers to reserved works facilities and transferred works facilities rather than reserved or transferred conduits. It provides that any Federal Energy Regulatory Commission authorization for a project remains in place until the authorization becomes inactive and may be renewed if FERC allows. Once the authorization becomes inactive, project-site jurisdiction shifts exclusively to the Bureau of Reclamation. The bill also clarifies that it does not expand Reclamation lease-of-power-privilege authority outside the project boundary.

Who Benefits and How

Hydropower developers benefit because more Bureau of Reclamation facilities can support hydropower projects rather than only small conduit or narrow pumped-storage categories. Rural electric utilities benefit if expanded project eligibility creates local generation opportunities. Non-federal operators of transferred works facilities benefit from updated terminology that covers facilities operated under operations and maintenance transfer contracts. Bureau of Reclamation hydropower staff benefit from clearer jurisdiction after a FERC authorization becomes inactive. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission licensing staff benefit from clearer continuity rules for authorizations. Rural communities near Reclamation facilities benefit if projects create construction, operations, or power-supply opportunities.

Who Bears the Burden and How

Bureau of Reclamation hydropower staff must administer a broader set of facility-based hydropower proposals and assume exclusive jurisdiction when FERC authorizations become inactive. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission licensing staff must manage authorization renewals and inactive-status transitions. Project developers must navigate both FERC authorization rules and Reclamation project-boundary limits. Water contractors operating transferred works facilities may face coordination demands when hydropower proposals use those facilities. Environmental review staff may see additional project workload if more Reclamation facilities become eligible.

Key Provisions

• Expands hydropower eligibility from small conduit projects to hydropower using all Bureau of Reclamation facilities.
• Updates statutory terminology for reserved works facilities and transferred works facilities.
• Provides that a FERC hydropower authorization remains in place until inactive.
• Allows renewal of an authorization when FERC permits renewal.
• Shifts project-site jurisdiction exclusively to the Bureau of Reclamation after a FERC authorization becomes inactive.
• Clarifies that Reclamation lease-of-power-privilege authority is not expanded outside the project boundary.