S. 4540 — Introduced in Senate

II 117th CONGRESS 2d Session S. 4540 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES July 14, 2022Mr. Daines (for himself and Mrs. Feinstein) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works A BILL To amend the Water Resources Reform and Development Act of 2014 to improve provisions relating to the development of hydropower at Corps of Engineers facilities, and for other purposes. 1. Expediting hydropower at Corps of Engineers facilities Section 1008 of the Water Resources Reform and Development Act of 2014 (33 U.S.C. 2321b) is amended— (1) in subsection (b)(1), by inserting and to meet the requirements of subsection (b) after projects; (2) by redesignating subsections (b) and (c) as subsections (c) and (d), respectively; (3) by inserting after subsection (a) the following: (b) Implementation of policy The Secretary shall— (1) ensure that the policy described in section (a) is implemented nationwide in an efficient, consistent, and coordinated manner; and (2) assess opportunities— (A) to increase the development of hydroelectric power at existing hydroelectric water resources development projects of the Corps of Engineers; and (B) to develop new hydroelectric power at nonpowered water resources development projects of the Corps of Engineers. ; and (4) by adding at the end the following: (e) Program manager for non-Federal hydroelectric power development (1) Designation The Chief of Engineers shall designate an employee of the Corps of Engineers as a Program Manager for Non-Federal Hydroelectric Power Development (referred to in this subsection as the Program Manager). (2) Requirements The Program Manager shall— (A) not be otherwise involved in the review of any Corps of Engineers permit to develop hydroelectric power at Corps of Engineers civil works projects; and (B) be located at the headquarters office of the Corps of Engineers. (3) Responsibilities With respect to the development of non-Federal hydroelectric power at Corps of Engineers civil works projects, the Program Manager shall— (A) ensure timely and consistent review of permits across Corps of Engineers districts and levels; (B) answer questions within the Corps of Engineers, or facilitate communication between developers and the Corps of Engineers, concerning Corps of Engineers permits; (C) answer questions from developers regarding the permitting process of the Corps of Engineers; (D) coordinate with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on licensing matters; (E) facilitate timely action on all aspects of Federal permitting required for hydropower development; and (F) ensure that new hydropower productions are designed and operated with environmentally sustainable technologies and management plans. (4) Reporting Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this subsection, the Chief of Engineers shall submit to Congress a report on the implementation of this subsection and subsection (b). .