A bill to require the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to extend the time period during which licensees are required to commence construction of certain hydropower projects.
Impact
If enacted, SB3373 would amend the provisions of the Federal Power Act, which currently dictates the timeframe for starting construction on hydropower licensing. This impacts state and federal energy policies that support the transition towards more sustainable energy practices. By extending the construction commencement period, the bill seeks to mitigate potential losses for project developers who may have faced delays due to various uncontrollable factors such as financial constraints or environmental assessments that need to be addressed before construction can officially begin.
Summary
Senate Bill 3373 aims to require the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to extend the time period during which licensees are obligated to commence construction on certain hydropower projects. Specifically, this bill authorizes FERC to allow an additional four years beyond the existing eight-year commencement requirement for those projects where licenses were issued prior to March 13, 2020. The bill positions itself as a means to facilitate the development of renewable energy sources, specifically through hydropower, which is considered a crucial component of the state's energy portfolio.
Sentiment
The sentiment surrounding SB3373 is largely supportive among energy developers and advocates for renewable energy. Proponents argue that it would lower barriers to entry for hydropower projects, leading to job creation and energy diversification. However, there exists a level of skepticism among environmental groups who may consider the extension detrimental, fearing that it could lead to increased environmental impacts or delays in necessary ecological assessments regarding hydropower's effects on local waterways and habitats.
Contention
The bill has faced discussions around the balance between promoting renewable energy and ensuring adequate environmental protections. Critics raise concerns about the potential for relaxed regulations and prolonged deferments in project evaluations, which can lead to uncontrolled ecological consequences. The core contention is how to effectively promote urgent energy infrastructure improvements while safeguarding environmental and community interests affected by hydropower projects.
A bill to require the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to extend the time period during which licensees are required to commence construction of certain hydropower projects.
Working to Advance Tangible and Effective Reforms for California Act or the WATER for California Act This bill addresses the operation of the Central Valley Project (CVP), a federal water project in California owned and operated by the Bureau of Reclamation, and the California State Water Project (SWP), which is operated jointly with the CVP. Specifically, the bill requires that Reclamation operate the CVP and SWP pursuant to a specified alternative to a proposed action in a final environmental impact statement and 2019 agency published Biological Opinions (BiOps). The bill also requires Reclamation and the Department of Commerce to submit a justification to Congress that meets certain requirements prior to requesting or completing a reinitiation of consultation that will result in new BiOps. This bill also requires Reclamation to allocate water to existing agricultural water service contractors within the CVP's Sacramento River Watershed based on the water year type (e.g., dry, wet). These allocations must not affect the United States' ability or obligations to deliver water under other designated contracts. Further, the bill repeals certain eligibility requirements for water infrastructure construction funding under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to make the Shasta Dam and Reservoir Enlargement Project in California eligible for funding. The bill also requires that Reclamation funds made available but not used for this project in previous appropriations years be made available to the project. Finally, the bill reauthorizes Reclamation's support for the construction or expansion of water storage projects.
Article I Regulatory Budget Act This bill requires the establishment of a federal regulatory budget to limit the costs of federal regulations. It also establishes requirements for disclosing the projected costs of federal regulations and procedures for enforcing the regulatory budget.
All Economic Regulations are Transparent Act of 2023 or the ALERT Act of 2023 This bill establishes various reporting requirements with respect to federal agency rulemaking. Specifically, each agency must submit a monthly report to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) for each rule the agency expects to propose or finalize during the following year, including information about the objectives and legal basis for the rule as well as whether the rule is subject to periodic review based on its significant economic impact. Additionally, each agency must submit a monthly report for any rule expected to be finalized during the following year for which the agency has issued a general notice of proposed rulemaking, including an approximate schedule for completing action on the rule and an estimate of its cost and economic effects. OIRA must publish this information online and, subject to certain exceptions, a rule may not take effect until the information has been published for at least six months. The bill also requires OIRA to annually publish in the Federal Register specified information it receives from agencies under this bill, including a list of each rule an agency has proposed and the total cost of all rules proposed or finalized. OIRA must further publish online (1) any analysis of the costs or benefits of rules that were proposed or finalized during the previous year, and (2) a list of rules that were subjected to various forms of review during the previous year.