Private hydropower gets expanded access to federal water infrastructure
H.R. 7487 — Rural Jobs and Hydropower Expansion Act · Filed by Lauren Boebert (R-CO) · 1 cosponsor · Introduced Feb 11, 2026 · Reported out
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What it does
This bill amends the 1939 Reclamation Project Act to expand hydropower development opportunities on Bureau of Reclamation water infrastructure. It removes restrictions that previously limited hydropower to small conduits and pumped storage, allowing private developers to build hydropower on a broader range of Reclamation facilities. The bill also clarifies that hydropower generation is 'secondary' to water delivery, extends FERC authorizations indefinitely (until they become inactive), and shifts site jurisdiction to the Bureau of Reclamation once a FERC authorization lapses.
Why we flagged it
The bill's core mechanism is to broaden private hydropower development rights on federal Reclamation infrastructure by removing categorical restrictions and extending FERC authorization tenure. This is a targeted regulatory expansion favoring hydropower developers.
What the text implies
- Subordinating water delivery to hydropower generation ('secondary' vs. 'incidental') may reduce water availability for municipal and agricultural users during low-flow periods, as hydropower operators prioritize generation over public water supply.
- Indefinite FERC authorization renewal and shift to Bureau jurisdiction after expiration creates a two-tier control system: private operators retain indefinite rights until authorization lapses, then the Bureau takes over—potentially stranding infrastructure or creating disputes over maintenance responsibility.
The full analysis lists 4 implications of this text.
Who stands to gain
private hydropower developers; renewable energy companies; independent power producers (IPPs)