To require the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to extend the time period during which licensees are required to commence construction of certain hydropower projects.

This bill authorizes the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to grant extensions for the commencement of construction of specific hydropower projects. It defines a "covered project" as any hydropower project for which FERC issued a license before March 13, 2020, allowing these projects to seek additional time beyond the standard eight-year period. Upon a licensee's request and for good cause, FERC may extend the construction commencement period for a covered project by up to an additional six years. This extension can be structured as not more than three consecutive two-year periods. Furthermore, for licenses that expired between December 31, 2023, and the bill's enactment, FERC is authorized to reinstate them, with the new extension taking effect from the original expiration date.