H.R. 8889 — National Dam and Hydropower Safety Improvements Act of 2026

This section adds a new condition to all licenses issued under the Federal Power Act requiring that dams and other project works meet the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s dam safety requirements and that licensees manage, operate, and maintain them to ensure dam safety and public safety under the license’s operating conditions.

This section conditions issuance of a new Federal Power Act license on dam safety compliance. The Commission may issue the license only if it determines that the dam and project works meet its dam safety requirements and the licensee can maintain safety under the new license terms, or if the license includes a plan to resolve any noncompliance.

This section requires the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to establish procedures assessing the financial viability of applicants for Federal Power Act licenses to meet dam safety requirements and operate the dam and project works.

This section directs the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, through its Office of Energy Projects Director, to hold a technical conference with the States by October 1, 2027, on dam maintenance and repair, Risk Informed Decision Making, climate and hydrological regional changes that may affect dam structural integrity, and high hazard dams.

This section directs the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to notify each affected state when it issues a dam safety repair finding, when a licensee fails to complete repairs within five years, or when it initiates license revocation or noncompliance proceedings. Upon license revocation or surrender, the Commission must consult with the state and provide all dam safety inspection reports, repair specifications and cost estimates, maintenance history, age and hazard classification, condition assessments, hydrologic data, and risk assessments.