S 3518 United States Senate · 119th Congress

FLOWS Act

The FLOWS Act (S 3518) streamlines processes for hydropower operations and creates a new licensing path for small-scale micro hydrokinetic projects. It allows hydropower licensees to make non-substantial alterations and routine maintenance without prior Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) approval, while requiring notice and maintaining FERC's safety oversight authority. For micro hydrokinetic projects (max 5 megawatts, no water impoundment), it establishes an expedited 1-year licensing process with specific deadlines for notifications and applications, and requires FERC to create regulations within 180 days. FERC must also report on environmental, economic, and energy impacts after five years or once 50 projects are operational.

Issues: ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Dec 2025

Committee Review

Floor Vote

President

Introduced Dec 17, 2025 Last action Jun 10, 2026

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Full legislative history

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Committee

Jun 10, 2026

Upper · Passed

Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.

upper

Mar 17, 2026

Upper · Passed

Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water and Power. Hearings held.

upper

Dec 17, 2025

Committee

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

upper

Dec 17, 2025

Introduced

Introduced in Senate

upper

1 primary · 2 co-sponsors