Daines, Fetterman, Newhouse Bill Increasing Made-In-America Hydropower Signed Into Law by President Trump

• May 11, 2026

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Steve Daines (R-Mont.) and John Fetterman (D-Pa.) today announced that their "Build More Hydro" bill has been signed into law by President Trump. The bill, S.1020, allows the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to approve six-year extensions for hydropower projects licensed before 2020. Representative Dan Newhouse (WA-04) introduced the companion bill in the U.S. House of Representatives.

"Today is a great day for Montana and the nation. America must meet the rise in energy demand, and the Build More Hydro bill will revive critical hydro projects and increase our domestic energy production. Thank you Senator Fetterman and Representative Newhouse for fighting with me to get this bill to the President's desk. I'm grateful that President Trump and his administration strongly support Made-In-America energy, and I look forward to seeing the impact this will have across the country," said Daines.

"I'm proud to see our bipartisan Build More Hydro bill signed into law. This extension for our hydro projects keeps domestic energy production in our commonwealth-yet another reminder of the production powerhouse that Pennsylvania has always been. I'm grateful for the partnership with Senator Daines and his work to help get this across the finish line," said Fetterman.

"Our Nation needs more energy, and I am pleased President Trump has signed into law S.1020, the Senate companion of my "Build More Hydro" bill in the House. This allows hydroelectric dams with their FERC license additional time to commence construction, eventually adding over 2.5 GW of reliable, clean, baseload power. We need to get every available megawatt of power on the grid to meet our growing energy demand, and this new law gets us one step closer to that goal. I thank Senator Daines for his hard work moving this bill unanimously through Senate and for being a champion of hydroelectric dams," said Newhouse.

Background:

Daines introduced S.1020, the "Build More Hydro" bill, in March 2025- read the release HERE. It passed the Senate with unanimous consent in July 2025. Daines and Newhouse sent a letter to Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Mike Johnson urging swift House passage of the bill in November 2025- read it HERE. It passed the U.S. House of Representatives in April 2026- read the release HERE.

Read the bill text HERE.

Statements of Support:

"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. 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." - Malcolm Woolf, President and CEO, National Hydropower Association

"I want to acknowledge Senator Daines leadership and persistence on this bill which provides extra time to get hydro projects and particularly energy storage under construction and in the ground."- Carl Borgquist, CEO Absaroka Energy, Developer of the Gordon Butte Pumped Storage Hydro Project

"Our thanks to Senator Daines for his strong support and bipartisan leadership in tirelessly shepherding this bill. We also thank his team, the co-sponsors, our collective advocates, fellow developers and the National Hydropower Association staff. Hydropower is such an important contributor to providing reliable energy for our country." - David Sinclair, President, Advanced Hydro Solutions LLC

"Hydropower delivers reliable, baseload energy that keeps the lights on throughout the county. Thanks to Senator Daines, projects delayed by the COVID pandemic will get a second chance to create thousands of jobs, spur economic development, and support a more resilient grid."- Paul Jacob, CEO of Rye Development

"At a time of surging electricity demand, building new hydropower capacity is critical to ensuring the United States can support economic growth while maintaining a reliable, clean power supply. Hydroelectricity offers a carbon emissions-free, firm energy resource that currently provides about 30% of electricity in the West. With President Trump's signature, the Build More Hydro law is a commonsense policy solution that will enable an additional 2.5 gigawatts of domestic power, spurring jobs and strengthening the grid. Thank you to Sen. Steve Daines and Rep. Dan Newhouse for your leadership in championing this bill in your respective chambers." - Rich Powell, CEO of CEBA

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