42 U.S.C. § 15883

Current through P.L. 118-107 (published on www.congress.gov on 11/21/2024)

Section 15883 - Maintaining and enhancing hydroelectricity incentives

(a) Definition of qualified hydroelectric facility

In this section, the term "qualified hydroelectric facility" means a hydroelectric project that-

(1)

(A) is licensed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission; or

(B) is a hydroelectric project constructed, operated, or maintained pursuant to a permit or valid existing right-of-way granted prior to June 10, 1920, or a license granted pursuant to the Federal Power Act (16 U.S.C. 791a et seq.);

(2) is placed into service before November 15, 2021; and

(3)

(A) is in compliance with all applicable Federal, Tribal, and State requirements; or

(B) would be brought into compliance with the requirements described in subparagraph (A) as a result of the capital improvements carried out using an incentive payment under this section.

(b) Incentive payments

The Secretary shall make incentive payments to the owners or operators of qualified hydroelectric facilities for capital improvements directly related to-

(1) improving grid resiliency, including-

(A) adapting more quickly to changing grid conditions;

(B) providing ancillary services (including black start capabilities, voltage support, and spinning reserves);

(C) integrating other variable sources of electricity generation; and

(D) managing accumulated reservoir sediments;

(2) improving dam safety to ensure acceptable performance under all loading conditions (including static, hydrologic, and seismic conditions), including-

(A) the maintenance or upgrade of spillways or other appurtenant structures;

(B) dam stability improvements, including erosion repair and enhanced seepage controls; and

(C) upgrades or replacements of floodgates or natural infrastructure restoration or protection to improve flood risk reduction; or

(3) environmental improvements, including-

(A) adding or improving safe and effective fish passage, including new or upgraded turbine technology, fish ladders, fishways, and all other associated technology, equipment, or other fish passage technology to a qualified hydroelectric facility;

(B) improving the quality of the water retained or released by a qualified hydroelectric facility;

(C) promoting downstream sediment transport processes and habitat maintenance; and

(D) improving recreational access to the project vicinity, including roads, trails, boat ingress and egress, flows to improve recreation, and infrastructure that improves river recreation opportunity.

(c) Limitations

(1) Costs

Incentive payments under this section shall not exceed 30 percent of the costs of the applicable capital improvement.

(2) Maximum amount

Not more than 1 incentive payment may be made under this section with respect to capital improvements at a single qualified hydroelectric facility in any 1 fiscal year, the amount of which shall not exceed $5,000,000.

(d) Authorization of appropriations

There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this section $553,600,000 for fiscal year 2022, to remain available until expended.

42 U.S.C. § 15883

Pub. L. 109-58, title II, §247, as added Pub. L. 117-58, div. D, title III, §40333(a), Nov. 15, 2021, 135 Stat. 1023.

EDITORIAL NOTES

REFERENCES IN TEXTThe Federal Power Act, referred to in subsec. (a)(1)(B), is act June 10, 1920, ch. 285, 41 Stat. 1063, which is classified generally to chapter 12 (§791a et seq.) of Title 16, Conservation. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see section 791a of Title 16 and Tables.

STATUTORY NOTES AND RELATED SUBSIDIARIES

WAGE RATE REQUIREMENTSFor provisions relating to rates of wages to be paid to laborers and mechanics on projects for construction, alteration, or repair work funded under div. D or an amendment by div. D of Pub. L. 117-58 including authority of Secretary of Labor, see section 18851 of this title.

project

The terms "federally assisted housing" and "project" mean-(A) a public housing project (as such term is defined in section 3(b) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 [42 U.S.C. 1437a(b)] );(B) housing for which project-based assistance is provided under section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937 [42 U.S.C. 1437f] ;(C) housing that is assisted under section 1701q of title 12;(D) housing that is assisted under section 1701q of title 12, as such section existed before November 28, 1990;(E) housing financed by a loan or mortgage insured under section 1715l(d)(3) of title 12 that bears interest at a rate determined under the proviso of section 1715l(d)(5) of title 12;(F) housing insured, assisted, or held by the Secretary or a State or State agency under section 1715z-1 of title 12;(G) housing constructed or substantially rehabilitated pursuant to assistance provided under section 8(b)(2) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 [42 U.S.C. 1437f(b)(2)], as in effect before October 1, 1983, that is assisted under a contract for assistance under such section; and(H) housing that is assisted under section 8013 1 of this title.

Secretary

the term "Secretary" means- (A) the Secretary of Education for purposes of subtitle A (other than section 3201),(B) the Secretary of Agriculture for purposes of the amendments made by section 3201, and(C) the Secretary of Health and Human Services for purposes of subtitle B,