S. 3500 — Hydropower Licensing Transparency Act

This section requires the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to submit to Congress, not later than 180 days after enactment and annually thereafter, a report on the status of specified hydroelectric licensing processes under the Federal Power Act. The report covers (1) the process for each new license or subsequent license (with sections 14 and 15 waived) under section 15 for which the existing licensee notified FERC at least three years prior of intent to apply, but the license has not been issued; and (2) the process for each original license under section 4(e) for which a citizen, association, corporation, state, Indian tribe, or municipality notified FERC at least three years prior of intent to apply, but the license has not been issued. For each such process, the report must include (1) the date of the notice of intent; (2) any docket number; (3) whether an application has been filed; (4) the application's status, including the anticipated issuance date; (5) the date of any upcoming proceeding or meeting; and (6) a description of required actions by the licensee or applicant, FERC, fish and wildlife agencies, and other applicable agencies—with information disaggregated by license type.