Sen. Steve Daines (R-Mont.) and Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-Wash.) are calling on US House leadership to pass H.R. 2072/S.1020, the “Build More Hydro” bill, warning that dozens of licensed hydropower projects face termination unless Congress acts.
In a letter to Speaker Mike Johnson and Majority Leader Steve Scalise, the lawmakers said the bill would authorise the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to extend construction deadlines for 37 ready-to-build hydropower projects across 15 states. Those projects represent more than 2.6GW of baseload generation and $6.5bn in investment.
“On July 9, 2025, S.1020 passed the Senate by unanimous consent and the House received the bill on August 1, 2025, where it remains held at the desk awaiting action,” the letter stated.
The lawmakers warned that congressional delay is already having an impact. “Approximately 100MW of hydropower has been put on hold with an additional 36MW forced into limbo by the end of the year because of congressional inaction.”
Hydropower’s broader role in the US energy system was also emphasised. “Hydropower supplies baseload electricity to over 30 million homes, provides 96% of utility-scale energy storage, and remains vital to flood control, water storage, irrigation, and grid reliability services.
“Losing these projects would undermine grid reliability at a time when we can least afford it,” the letter said.
The National Hydropower Association (NHA), which represents the US hydropower and pumped storage industry, welcomed the lawmakers’ call to action. In a statement, NHA said: “We’re in an affordability crisis, and we must do all we can to get more clean, reliable, affordable hydropower on the grid to lower costs and meet growing demand.” NHA urged industry stakeholders and the public to contact their House members to support the bill.
Daines and Newhouse asked House leadership to place the bill on the suspension calendar to advance it before the end of the year. “Advancing S.1020 before the end of the year is an essential step to protect American energy security, ensure reliable power to communities across the nation and prevent the loss of billions in investment.”
