The Duck Curve#hydropower
DOE picks 63 tribe-led energy projects for over $125 million
The US Department of Energy's Office of Indian Energy selected 63 tribe-led projects in 16 states for award negotiations on October 22, 2026, for over $125 million, against a funding notice that sought applications for up to $50 million. Thirteen deployment projects, including Alaska hydroelectric and power plants, account for $70.1 million of the $137.2 million in federal funds requested on DOE's list, by The Duck Curve's sum.
Snowy 2.0 target cost climbs to A$22.2 billion, finish slips to late 2029
Snowy Hydro said on October 22, 2026 that a reassessment by its principal contractor puts Snowy 2.0's target cost at A$22.2 billion, with an allowance for A$25 billion, against A$12 billion at the 2023 reset. Full commissioning is now targeted for late 2029; the reset had set December 2028 for commercial operation of all units.
Hydropower Licensing Transparency Act signed; FERC report within 180 days
The White House said the President signed H.R. 3657, the Hydropower Licensing Transparency Act, into law on September 25, 2026; the Library of Congress record dates both 'Signed by President.' and 'Became Public Law No: 119-112.' to September 25, 2026. The act adds a section 37 to the Federal Power Act: within 180 days of enactment and annually after that, FERC reports to Congress on each pending new license, subsequent license for which sections 14 and 15 have been waived, and original license for which a notice of intent was given at least three years earlier, with six inclusions each.
Congress moved four energy bills in three days; one goes to the President
Between September 15 and 17, 2026, the House passed the High-Capacity Grid Act (H.R. 6633) and the Load Forecasting Enhancement Act (H.R. 9332) by voice vote and the Ratepayer Protection Act (H.R. 9340) by 417 to 3, and the Senate passed the Hydropower Licensing Transparency Act (H.R. 3657) by unanimous consent without amendment; the bill status record shows that bill presented to the President on September 17 and the other three received in the Senate. Each orders a report, a rulemaking, study boards, or a state proceeding; none funds or builds anything.