“SEC. 34. Promoting hydropower development at existing nonpowered dams.

“(a) Expedited licensing process for non-Federal hydropower projects at existing nonpowered dams.—

“(1) IN GENERAL.—As provided in this section, the Commission may issue and amend licenses and preliminary permits, as appropriate, for any facility the Commission determines is a qualifying facility.

“(2) RULE.—Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this section, the Commission shall issue a rule establishing an expedited process for issuing and amending licenses and preliminary permits for qualifying facilities under this section.

“(3) INTERAGENCY TASK FORCE.—In establishing the expedited process under this section, the Commission shall convene an interagency task force, with appropriate Federal and State agencies and Indian tribes represented, to coordinate the regulatory processes associated with the authorizations required to construct and operate a qualifying facility.

“(4) LENGTH OF PROCESS.—The Commission shall ensure that the expedited process under this section will result in a final decision on an application for a license by not later than 2 years after receipt of a completed application for the license.

“(b) Dam safety.—

“(1) ASSESSMENT.—Before issuing any license for a qualifying facility, the Commission shall assess the safety of existing non-Federal dams and other non-Federal structures related to the qualifying facility (including possible consequences associated with failure of such structures).

“(2) REQUIREMENTS.—In issuing any license for a qualifying facility, the Commission shall ensure that the Commission’s dam safety requirements apply to such qualifying facility, and the associated qualifying nonpowered dam, over the term of such license.

“(c) Interagency communications.—Interagency cooperation in the preparation of environmental documents under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) with respect to an application for a license for a qualifying facility under this section, and interagency communications relating to licensing process coordination pursuant to this section, shall not—

“(1) be considered to be ex parte communications under Commission rules; or

“(2) preclude an agency from participating in a licensing proceeding under this part.

“(d) Definitions.—For purposes of this section:

“(1) QUALIFYING CRITERIA.—The term ‘qualifying criteria’ means, with respect to a facility—

“(A) as of the date of enactment of this section, the facility is not licensed under, or exempted from the license requirements contained in, this part;

“(B) the facility will be associated with a qualifying nonpowered dam;

“(C) the facility will be constructed, operated, and maintained for the generation of electric power;

“(D) the facility will use for such generation any withdrawals, diversions, releases, or flows from the associated qualifying nonpowered dam, including its associated impoundment or other infrastructure; and

“(E) the operation of the facility will not result in any material change to the storage, release, or flow operations of the associated qualifying nonpowered dam.

“(2) QUALIFYING FACILITY.—The term ‘qualifying facility’ means a facility that is determined under this section to meet the qualifying criteria.

“(3) QUALIFYING NONPOWERED DAM.—The term ‘qualifying nonpowered dam’ means any dam, dike, embankment, or other barrier—

“(A) the construction of which was completed on or before the date of enactment of this section;

“(B) that is or was operated for the control, release, or distribution of water for agricultural, municipal, navigational, industrial, commercial, environmental, recreational, aesthetic, drinking water, or flood control purposes; and

“(C) that, as of the date of enactment of this section, is not generating electricity with hydropower generating works that are licensed under, or exempted from the license requirements contained in, this part.”.