On Tuesday, June 26, 2012, the House is scheduled to consider H.R. 5625, the Collinsville Renewable Energy Promotion Act, under a suspension of the rules requiring a two-thirds majority vote for approval.  The bill was introduced on May 8, 2012, by Rep. Chris Murphy (D-CT) and referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce.

H.R. 5625 would provide the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) with authority to reinstate two expired hydroelectric licenses and transfer them to a new owner; the Town of Canton, Connecticut.  The licenses are associated with the Upper and Lower Collinsville Dams on the Farmington River in Connecticut. 

The bill would also require FERC to complete an environmental assessment for the two projects, updating the environmental analysis performed during the original licensing of the two projects.  H.R. 5626 would require that upon issuance of the environmental assessment, FERC initiate a 30-day public comment period and consider any comments received before taking any action. 

There was no CBO score at press time.