Nicholas Langworthy
07/21/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 07/21/2026 14:36
Congressman Langworthy Introduces Legislation to Modernize Hydropower Permitting, Cut Red Tape, and Strengthen American Energy Production
Washington, D.C.-July 21, 2026… Congressman Nick Langworthy (NY-23) and Congresswoman Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08) today introduced the Fair Licensing for Operations of Water Structures (FLOWS) Act, bipartisan legislation to modernize the federal permitting process for hydropower projects by eliminating unnecessary regulatory burdens, streamlining approvals for routine maintenance, and supporting the next generation of American water energy technologies.
Hydropower is America's oldest source of renewable electricity and remains a critical component of the nation's energy portfolio, providing reliable, affordable electricity while supporting grid stability, flood control, and water management. However, outdated federal regulations often require operators to obtain approval from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for routine maintenance and other low-risk activities, creating unnecessary delays, increasing costs, and diverting resources from improving reliability and modernizing infrastructure. The FLOWS Act updates that process while preserving FERC's authority over dam safety and environmental protections.
"Hydropower has powered communities across America for generations, but the federal permitting process hasn't kept pace with modern technology or common sense," said Congressman Langworthy. "Too often, operators are forced to navigate unnecessary federal red tape just to perform routine maintenance or replace equipment with identical components. That drives up costs, delays improvements, and makes it harder to keep reliable, affordable power on the grid, while having no real impact on environmental safety. At a time when New Yorkers are being crushed by skyrocketing energy costs, this is bipartisan, common-sense legislation is essential to preserving the future of one of America's most affordable sources of electricity."
"The vast majority of Washington State's energy comes from hydropower, making it essential that we efficiently maintain dams to support our communities," said Congresswoman Schrier. "Helping our hydropower operators perform routine maintenance, repairs, replacements, and temporary adjustments for our dams will lower energy costs, ensure reliability, and improve public safety. This bill will also support emerging clean energy research as we find new ways to produce energy without emitting greenhouse gases."
The FLOWS Act would:
- Exempt routine maintenance, in-kind equipment replacements, and other non-substantial alterations at existing hydropower facilities from requiring prior FERC approval.
- Preserve all existing environmental protections and FERC's dam safety oversight.
- Establish a permitting process specifically tailored for emerging wave, tidal, and river-current energy technologies.
-
Reduce unnecessary regulatory delays and costs while improving grid reliability and supporting innovation in domestic energy production.
Current licensing requirements were largely designed around traditional large-scale hydroelectric dams and do not reflect today's technologies or the realities of operating existing facilities. The legislation provides greater regulatory certainty while ensuring federal oversight remains focused where it matters most-protecting public safety and the environment.
"The FLOWS Act is a commonsense, bipartisan solution that reduces red tape for routine maintenance and non-substantial work, allowing hydropower operators to stay focused on what matters most: dam safety, reliability, and keeping power affordable," said Matthew Allen, Senior Director of Legislative Affairs at the National Hydropower Association. "It also establishes a needed pathway for wave, tidal, and river-current technologies to get into the water more quickly and demonstrate their value to America's clean energy future. By modernizing outdated processes, this bill will help preserve today's hydropower fleet while unlocking tomorrow's innovation. NHA thanks Reps. Langworthy and Schrier for introducing this legislation in the House as well as Senators Lisa Murkowski and Angus King for shepherding the Senate companion bill. NHA looks forward to working with these water power champions to move the bill through Congress as quickly as possible."
The Senate companion legislation, introduced by Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Angus King (I-Maine), has already advanced through the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, reflecting broad bipartisan recognition that America's hydropower permitting process should be modernized to support reliable energy production and economic growth.
Congressman Langworthy has consistently supported an all-of-the-above American energy strategy that strengthens energy security, reduces unnecessary regulation, and ensures the United States can continue to produce reliable, affordable energy while remaining globally competitive.
"The FLOWS Act is a commonsense, bipartisan solution that reduces red tape for routine maintenance and non-substantial work, allowing hydropower operators to stay focused on what matters most: dam safety, reliability, and keeping power affordable," said Matthew Allen, Senior Director of Legislative Affairs at the National Hydropower Association. "It also establishes a needed pathway for wave, tidal, and river-current technologies to get into the water more quickly and demonstrate their value to America's clean energy future. By modernizing outdated processes, this bill will help preserve today's hydropower fleet while unlocking tomorrow's innovation. NHA thanks Reps. Langworthy and Schrier for introducing this legislation in the House as well as Senators Lisa Murkowski and Angus King for shepherding the Senate companion bill. NHA looks forward to working with these water power champions to move the bill through Congress as quickly as possible."
The Senate companion legislation, introduced by Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Angus King (I-Maine), has already advanced through the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, reflecting broad bipartisan recognition that America's hydropower permitting process should be modernized to support reliable energy production and economic growth.
Congressman Langworthy has consistently supported an all-of-the-above American energy strategy that strengthens energy security, reduces unnecessary regulation, and ensures the United States can continue to produce reliable, affordable energy while remaining globally competitive.
Nicholas Langworthy published this content on July 21, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on July 21, 2026 at 20:36 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]