HYPE Act

Mr. Speaker, hydropower is one of the few carbon-free energy sources that provides a steady baseload of electricity. Producing more electricity from hydropower helps us meet our clean energy goals and reduce harmful emissions that pollute our air and water.

This bill, the Hydropower Permit Extension Act, would cut red tape for hydropower construction permits and incentivize greater investment in this energy source.

The act gives already approved hydropower projects an extra year on their initial permit and allows FERC to grant a 4-year extension to projects that are delayed from breaking ground during their initial permit.

And as the gentlewoman from Colorado (Ms. DeGette) said, right now this takes an act of Congress to extend construction permits for hydropower projects, even though they have gone through a rigorous environmental regulatory process.

Moving forward, the ultimate solution to unlocking hydropower is to streamline the regulatory process. It is my hope that we can continue to have bipartisan, productive conversations like these on how to get hydropower projects moving, how to get them approved more quickly, while still meeting high environmental standards.

I want to thank Chairman Walden and Ranking Member Pallone, Chairman Upton and Ranking Member Rush, for working with me and the committee to advance this bill through the committee and to the floor.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the bill.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2274, the HYdropower Permit Extension, or HYPE, Act.

I am pleased that the House is considering this legislation, which was recently introduced by my colleague, Mr. Peters, of the committee, to provide the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission with the authority to grant longer periods for preliminary and construction permits and associated extensions under sections 5 and 13 of the Federal Power Act.

Right now, as we have seen from the debating of these six bills today, this is something that can only be done by an act of Congress on a case-by-case basis.

As much as we have all enjoyed debating these extensions of time today, it is clear that it would be more efficient and it also would save more time in Congress if these extensions could be done directly by FERC. I commend Mr. Peters. I hope all of my colleagues will join me in supporting this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I am now pleased to yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from California (Mr. Peters), the author of the bill.

Mr. Speaker, I would do the same, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2274) to amend the Federal Power Act to provide for extended periods relating to preliminary permits and commencement of construction, and for other purposes.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous material in the Record on the bill.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, this bill, H.R. 2274, was introduced by the gentleman from California (Mr. Peters), and it was passed by unanimous consent by the Energy and Commerce Committee.

The bill, H.R. 2274, amends the Federal Power Act to allow the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, FERC, to extend periods relating to preliminary permits and commencement of construction of hydroelectric projects.

This bill is a commonsense bill, bipartisan, and I would hope that all Members would join me in supporting it.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I would urge my colleagues to vote for this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.