FLOWS Act

Sponsor: Nicholas A. Langworthy (Republican-NY)July 21, 2026

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Introduced

In Committee

Passed One Chamber

Passed Both Chambers

Signed into Law

Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Lets hydropower companies make routine fixes faster and speeds up approval for small water energy projects.

Hydropower companies would face fewer hurdles for routine maintenance and minor changes to their facilities. This bill also creates a faster approval process for small-scale water-based energy projects, like those using waves or currents, aiming to speed up their development. This would affect companies operating hydropower dams and those looking to build new, smaller water energy systems.

What Would Change

Today, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) may require prior approval for many changes to hydropower projects, including routine maintenance. Licensing for small water-based energy projects follows standard, often lengthy, procedures. If this bill becomes law, hydropower companies would no longer need FERC approval for routine maintenance or temporary changes due to unforeseen events. Also, small water-based energy projects (under 5 megawatts) would get a new, faster licensing process with a one-year deadline for final decisions.

Key Provisions

Lets hydropower companies make routine repairs and temporary adjustments without needing prior approval from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
Requires the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to only approve "substantial alterations" to hydropower projects, as defined by new rules.
Creates a new, faster licensing process for small water-based energy projects (under 5 megawatts) that use waves, tides, or currents without building dams.
Requires the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to make a final decision on these small water energy project applications within one year.
Requires the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to create new rules within 180 days after the bill becomes law to set up the expedited process for small water energy projects.

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HR 9806 · 119th Congress · July 21, 2026 · AI Summary by gemini-2.5-flash · 10/10

FLOWS Act

What Would Change

Key Provisions

Lobbying Activity