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H.R. 7487119th CongressOn the floor calendarLatest action Aug 27, 2026Decoded by AI · checked against the record
Official title: Rural Jobs and Hydropower Expansion Act
Introduced:
Read the official bill on Congress.govThe plain-language version leads. The official text is always the reference.
HR 7487 lets non-federal groups develop hydropower at any Bureau of Reclamation facility, not just small pipes or reservoirs.
45-second read · 4 questions answered below
This bill amends the Reclamation Project Act of 1939 to expand where private companies and local organizations can build hydropower projects on Bureau of Reclamation infrastructure. Previously limited mostly to small conduits and pumped-storage reservoirs, the permission would now cover any Bureau of Reclamation facility. It also clarifies rules for FERC permits tied to these projects, including what happens when a permit lapses.
The bill affects private companies and local organizations seeking to develop hydropower, particularly in rural western areas with Bureau of Reclamation dams and canals. It also involves the Bureau of Reclamation and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), which retain oversight.
Expanding eligible sites could increase non-federal control over hydropower development at federal water facilities, while federal agencies keep authority to manage permits and reclaim project sites if permits lapse. The bill explicitly does not expand leasing authority beyond current project boundaries.
AI-drafted summary. Verify it against the official text before you act on it. Read the official bill on Congress.gov
Right now: it's on the House floor calendar. If the Senate changes it, it goes back to the House before reaching the President.
Latest action: — Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 676.