US Congress House Bill 5892 (Prior Session Legislation)

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July 10 2012 - Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Pending: Senate Energy And Natural Resources Committee
Text: Latest bill text (Engrossed) [PDF]

Hydropower Regulatory Efficiency Act of 2012 - (Sec. 3) Amends the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (PURPA) to increase from 5,000 to 10,000 kilowatts the size of small hydroelectric power projects which the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) may exempt from its license requirements. (Sec. 4) Amends the Federal Power Act to revise the limitation on the maximum installation capacity of qualifying conduit hydropower facilities that are eligible for an exemption from licensing requirements. Requires any person, state, or municipality proposing to construct a qualifying conduit hydropower facility to file with FERC a notice of intent to do so. Requires FERC, within 15 days after receiving such a notice of intent, to make an initial determination as to whether the facility meets the qualifying criteria. Waives license requirements for any conduit hydroelectric facility that: (1) uses for electric power generation only the hydroelectric potential of a non-federally owned conduit, (2) has a maximum installed capacity of five megawatts, and (3) is not currently licensed or exempted from license requirements. Redefines "conduit" to specify any tunnel, canal, pipeline, aqueduct, flume, ditch, or similar manmade water conveyance operated for the distribution of water for agricultural, municipal, or industrial consumption and not primarily for the generation of electricity. Authorizes FERC to exempt from license requirements any electric power generation facility that utilizes for such generation only the hydroelectric potential of a conduit, and has an installed capacity or 40 megawatts or fewer. (Sec. 5) Authorizes FERC to extend the preliminary permit period for up to two additional years beyond the three years otherwise allowed if it finds that the permittee has implemented activities under the permit in good faith and with reasonable diligence. (Sec. 6) Directs FERC to: (1) investigate the feasibility of issuing a license for hydropower development at nonpowered dams and closed loop pumped storage projects during a two-year period, and (2) hold workshops and develop hydropower pilot projects. (Sec. 7) Directs the Secretary of Energy (DOE) to study: (1) the technical flexibility that existing pumped storage facilities can provide to support intermittent renewable electric energy generation, including the potential for such facilities to be upgraded or retrofitted with advanced commercially available technology; and (2) the technical potential of existing pumped storage facilities and new advanced pumped storage facilities to provide grid reliability benefits.

Hydropower Regulatory Efficiency Act of 2012

Rep McMorris Rodgers, Cathy	Rep DeGette, Diana	Rep Dingell, John D.	Rep Gardner, Cory
Rep Latta, Robert E.	Rep Lujan, Ben Ray	Rep Markey, Edward J.	Rep Matheson, Jim
Rep Platts, Todd Russell	Rep Smith, Lamar	Rep Terry, Lee	Rep Walden, Greg

2012-07-09 - On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass (Y: 372 N: 0 NV: 59 Abs: 0) [PASS]
2012-07-09 - On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass (Y: 372 N: 0 NV: 59 Abs: 0) [PASS]

Date	Chamber	Action
2012-07-10	Senate	Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
2012-07-09	House	Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
2012-07-09	House	On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 372 - 0 (Roll no. 454). (text: CR H4666-4668)
2012-07-09	House	Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H4671-4672)
2012-07-09	House	At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
2012-07-09	House	DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5892.
2012-07-09	House	Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H4666-4670)
2012-07-09	House	Mrs. McMorris Rodgers moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
2012-06-29	House	Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 404.
2012-06-29	House	Reported by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 112-563.
2012-06-20	House	Ordered to be Reported.
2012-06-20	House	Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
2012-06-08	House	Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Power.
2012-06-05	House	Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

HB3680 (Related) 2012-01-03 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Water and Power.
SB629 (Related) 2011-05-18 - Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 55.

Type	Source
Summary	http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d112:HN05892:@@@L&summ2=m&
Text	http://gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/BILLS-112hr5892ih/pdf/BILLS-112hr5892ih.pdf
Text	http://gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/BILLS-112hr5892rh/pdf/BILLS-112hr5892rh.pdf
Text	http://gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/BILLS-112hr5892eh/pdf/BILLS-112hr5892eh.pdf
Roll Call	http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2012/roll454.xml