Federal Power Act of 1920, United States
The Federal Power Act of 1920, also known as the Federal Water Power Act, encouraged the development of hydroelectric projects, such as dams and reservoirs. The Act established the Federal Power Commission (FPC), which was run by the Secretaries of War, the Department of Agriculture, and the Department of the Interior. These agencies were primarily responsible for issuing licenses to non-federal hydropower projects that affected navigable waters, occupied federal lands, affected the interests of interstate commerce, or used water or water power from government-operated dams.
In a 1935 amendment, the FPC’s regulatory power was enhanced, charging the agency with the responsibility to oversee all interstate transmission and sale rates of electric power. The amendment ensured reasonable electricity rates and changed the structure of the FPC to include five commissioners nominated by the President. Congress later abolished the FPC when it created the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) in 1977. The FERC inherited most of the duties previously carried out by the FPC.
The original 1920 Act was amended as follows:
- Chapter 129, March 3, 1921; 41 Stat. 1353.
- Chapter 572, June 23, 1930; 46 Stat. 799
- Chapter 687, August 26, 1935; 49 Stat. 803.
- Chapter 782, October 28, 1949; 63 Stat. 954
- P.L. 247, October 31, 1951; 65 Stat. 701.
- P.L. 87-647, September 7, 1962; 76 Stat. 447.
- P.L. 95-617, November 9, 1978; 92 Stat. 3117.
- P.L. 96-294, June 30, 1980; 94 Stat. 611.
- P.L. 97-375, December 21, 1982; 96 Stat. 1819.
- P.L. 99-495, October 16, 1986; 100 Stat. 1243.
- P.L. 102-486, October 24, 1992; 106 Stat. 3097.
- P.L. 103-347, November 2, 1994; 108 Stat. 4585.
- P.L. 104-66, December 21, 1995; 109 Stat. 718.
These public laws appear in Chapter 12 of the U.S. Code, Federal Regulation and Development of Power, Subchapter I, Regulation of the Development of Water Power and Resources. The original statute was enacted in 1920. Many of the subsequent amendments have not involved resource issues; however, the 1935 and 1986 amendments added new requirements to incorporate fish and wildlife concerns in licensing, relicensing, and exemption procedures.
Further Reading
- Federal Water Power Act (U.S. Bureau of Reclamation)
- Federal Power Act (U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service)
