National Dam and Hydropower Safety Improvements Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Representative Dingell, Debbie [D-MI-6]
Introduced
Summary
Dam safety would be tightened by making the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) require hydroelectric licensees to meet its dam safety standards and show they can operate and maintain dams safely. The bill would also require FERC to assess applicants' financial viability, notify States about serious inspection findings and license changes, and hold a technical conference on climate and hydrologic risks by October 1, 2027.
Show full summary
- Licensees and operators: Hydropower license holders would need to demonstrate compliance with FERC dam safety rules to obtain or renew a license. New licenses must either meet safety requirements or include a plan to fix noncompliance.
- States: States would receive required notices when inspections call for repairs, when a licensee fails to act for 5 years, and when FERC revokes or accepts surrender of a license. If a license ends, States would get inspection reports, repair histories, cost estimates, hazard classifications, hydrologic flood info, and recent risk assessments.
- Regulators and nearby communities: FERC would create procedures to check an applicant's financial ability to meet safety obligations. A technical conference would focus on maintenance, risk-informed decision making, climate and hydrologic changes, and high-hazard dams to improve regional planning and oversight.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Stronger dam safety and oversight
If enacted, the bill would require FERC to make sure licensed dams meet its dam safety rules. New licenses would only be issued if a dam meets safety requirements or the license includes a plan to fix problems. FERC would have to set procedures to check whether license applicants have the money to meet safety needs and run the dam. FERC would also have to tell each State when inspections require repairs, tell States if owners fail to fix a dam after 5 years, and give States full inspection and repair records if a license is revoked or surrendered.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Dingell, Debbie [D-MI-6]
MI • D
Cosponsors
Rep. Moolenaar, John R. [R-MI-2]
MI • R
Sponsored 5/19/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov