A Republican bill with 1 Democratic cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The FLOWS Act aims to amend the Federal Power Act regarding water structure operations and the licensing of micro hydrokinetic energy projects. It seeks to change how the Commission handles alterations to project works by defining what requires prior approval versus routine maintenance. The bill also establishes a specific licensing framework for micro hydrokinetic energy projects, which include small-scale energy conversion from waves, tides, or currents. This new framework includes an expedited licensing process and specific timelines for the Commission to take action. Additionally, the Act requires the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to create new rules and standards for these processes.
Yes· 3 of 5
- Scored +5
Does this put more money into wind, solar and other renewable power?
The bill establishes a specific, expedited licensing framework to encourage the deployment of micro hydrokinetic energy projects.
- Scored +4
Would business owners be better off under this?
The bill reduces regulatory burdens by allowing routine maintenance to occur without prior approval.
- Scored +3
Is this likely to create jobs?
The expedited licensing process for micro hydrokinetic energy projects is likely to stimulate job growth in the renewable energy sector.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Streamlined Maintenance: The bill states the Commission shall not require approval or license amendments for routine maintenance, repair, or replacement of project works (Section 2(b)). This could allow for more efficient upkeep of hydropower projects.
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Flexibility for Unforeseen Events: Licensees would be allowed temporary variances for project operations necessitated by circumstances beyond their reasonable control, such as extreme weather or equipment failures (Section 2(a)).
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Expedited Energy Deployment: The bill provides an expedited licensing process for micro hydrokinetic energy projects, including a deadline for the Commission to take final action within one year of an application being filed (Section 3(c)).
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Environmental and Economic Oversight: The Commission is required to submit a report to Congress describing the impacts of these micro hydrokinetic projects on the environment, the economy, and electricity reliability and affordability (Section 3(e)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Regulatory Uncertainty Regarding Alterations: While the bill aims to define what constitutes a "substantial alteration," the final standards and formal processes for determining these distinctions are not established until after the Commission promulgates a final rule (Section 2(c)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to create jobs? — The expedited licensing process for micro hydrokinetic energy projects is likely to stimulate job growth in the renewable energy sector. Is this likely to grow the economy? — The bill facilitates the deployment of new energy technologies through streamlined regulatory processes.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this put more money into wind, solar and other renewable power? — The bill establishes a specific, expedited licensing framework to encourage the deployment of micro hydrokinetic energy projects.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would business owners be better off under this? — The bill reduces regulatory burdens by allowing routine maintenance to occur without prior approval.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill requires the Commission to issue formal rules and a report to Congress regarding the impacts of new energy projects.
- 7/21/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Kim SchrierDemocrat · Washington