CBO estimates that implementing S. 1030 would have no significant net effect on the federal budget. The bill would require the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to report to the Congress on various aspects of hydropower projects at nonpowered sites that are not part of FERC-licensed projects that generate power. The bill would require FERC to identify all such projects and analyze their potential financial value with regard to both power and nonpower functions.
Completing the proposed report would increase FERC’s administrative costs by less than $500,000. However, because FERC recovers 100 percent of its costs through user fees, any change in that agency’s costs (which are controlled through annual appropriation acts) would be offset by an equal change in fees that the commission charges, resulting in a negligible net change in federal spending.
Enacting S. 1030 would not affect direct spending or revenues; therefore, pay-as-you-go procedures do not apply.
CBO estimates that enacting S. 1030 would not increase net direct spending or on-budget deficits in any of the four consecutive 10-year periods beginning in 2029.
S. 1030 contains no intergovernmental or private-sector mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act.
