The bill would amend the Federal Power Act to exempt routine maintenance, repairs, replacements, and certain temporary operational variances from prior Federal Energy Regulatory Commission approval, while retaining approval for substantial alterations and authority concerning dam safety. It would require FERC to issue proposed and final rules establishing standards and processes for these categories. The bill would also create an optional expedited licensing process for hydrokinetic projects of up to 5 megawatts that do not impound water, with licenses lasting 10 to 20 years and final agency action generally due within one year of application.

FactVote-generated overview; it is not an official CRS summary.