Washington, D.C. – On Monday May 11, the Build More Hydro bill (S. 1020) officially became law after it was signed by President Trump. This comes after the House passed the bill on April 21 nearly unanimously. This legislation empowers the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to extend construction deadlines for around three dozen hydropower projects delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic, supply chain shortages, and other unique hurdles that threaten their completion.
“Today’s law is a breakthrough that delivers 2,600 MW of clean hydropower and $6.5 billion in private investment critical to powering American homes, businesses, and industries, said NHA President and CEO, Malcolm Woolf. “We thank Sen. Daines, Sen. Fetterman, Rep. Newhouse, and the President for their leadership. NHA remains committed to expanding new development and preserving the existing hydropower fleet to meet America’s growing energy demand.”
The legislation unanimously passed the U.S. Senate in July of 2025 and then unanimously advanced out of the House Energy and Commerce Committee in January of 2026.
The National Hydropower Association (NHA) has actively supported this bill throughout the entire legislative process. Last November, NHA led a letter to Congress urging Republican and Democratic leaders of the Energy and Commerce Committee to advance the bill. This letter was co-signed by representatives from most of the three dozen hydropower projects impacted by the legislation.
