Title 16ConservationRelease 119-73

§806 Time limit for construction of project works; extension of time; termination or revocation of licenses for delay

Title 16 › Chapter CHAPTER 12— - FEDERAL REGULATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF POWER › Subchapter SUBCHAPTER I— - REGULATION OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF WATER POWER AND RESOURCES › § 806

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

The license holder must begin building the project within the time set in the license, which cannot be more than 2 years from the date it was issued. They must keep working in good faith and with reasonable speed, finish and operate the parts the commission thinks are needed for the market, and then build the rest as the commission directs until the whole project is done. The start date can be extended by up to 8 additional years. The commission can also extend completion time if it does not harm the public interest. If the holder does not start on time, the commission can end the license for that work after giving notice. If work started but is not finished on time, the Attorney General, at the commission’s request, can go to federal court to cancel the license, order sale of what was built, and seek other relief as allowed under section 820.

Full Legal Text

Title 16, §806

Conservation — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

The licensee shall commence the construction of the project works within the time fixed in the license, which shall not be more than two years from the date thereof, shall thereafter in good faith and with due diligence prosecute such construction, and shall within the time fixed in the license complete and put into operation such part of the ultimate development as the commission shall deem necessary to supply the reasonable needs of the then available market, and shall from time to time thereafter construct such portion of the balance of such development as the commission may direct, so as to supply adequately the reasonable market demands until such development shall have been completed. The periods for the commencement of construction may be extended for not more than 8 additional years, and the period for the completion of construction carried on in good faith and with reasonable diligence may be extended by the commission when not incompatible with the public interests. In case the licensee shall not commence actual construction of the project works, or of any specified part thereof, within the time prescribed in the license or as extended by the commission, then, after due notice given, the license shall, as to such project works or part thereof, be terminated upon written order of the commission. In case the construction of the project works, or of any specified part thereof, has been begun but not completed within the time prescribed in the license, or as extended by the commission, then the Attorney General, upon the request of the commission, shall institute proceedings in equity in the district court of the United States for the district in which any part of the project is situated for the revocation of said license, the sale of the works constructed, and such other equitable relief as the case may demand, as provided for in section 820 of this title.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Proceedings in equity, referred to in text, were abolished by the adoption of rule 2 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, set out in the Appendix to Title 28, Judiciary and Judicial Procedure, which provided that “there shall be one form of action to be known as ‘civil action’ ”.

Amendments

2018—Pub. L. 115–270 substituted “for not more than 8 additional years,” for “once but not longer than two additional years” in second sentence.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

16 U.S.C. § 806

Title 16Conservation

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73