National Dam and Hydropower Safety Improvements Act of 2026

This bill amends the Federal Power Act to improve dam and hydropower safety by adding new conditions for licenses, requiring safety assessments for new licenses, establishing financial viability procedures, and mandating communication between the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and states.

Sec. 2, Dam safety conditions: Adds a new condition to licenses under the Federal Power Act requiring that dams and project works meet FERC's dam safety requirements and that licensees manage, operate, and maintain them to ensure dam and public safety.

Sec. 3, Dam safety requirements: FERC may issue a new license only if it determines the dam meets safety requirements and the licensee can ensure safety, or if the new license includes a plan to resolve noncompliance with safety requirements.

Sec. 4, Viability procedures: FERC must establish procedures to assess the financial viability of license applicants to meet dam safety requirements and operate the dam and project works.

Sec. 5, FERC dam safety technical conference with states: By October 1, 2027, FERC must hold a technical conference with states to discuss dam maintenance, Risk Informed Decision Making, climate and hydrological changes affecting dam integrity, and high hazard dams.

Sec. 6, Required dam safety communications between FERC and states: FERC must notify states when it issues a dam safety inspection finding requiring repairs, if repairs are not done within 5 years, or if it starts non-compliance proceedings. Upon license revocation or surrender, FERC must consult with the state and provide records on structure, operation, maintenance history, age, hazard classification, condition assessments, hydrologic information, and risk assessments.