Hydropower maintenance and temporary adjustments

(a) Alterations in project works Section 10(b) of the Federal Power Act (16 U.S.C. 803(b)) is amended by adding at the end the following: Notwithstanding any other requirement of this part, the licensee shall not be required to obtain approval from the Commission for any nonsubstantial alteration or addition to project works under the plans approved by the Commission under section 9(a)(1).. (b) Maintenance and repair of project works Section 10(c) of the Federal Power Act (16 U.S.C. 803(c)) is amended by adding at the end the following: Notwithstanding any other requirement of this part, the licensee shall not be required to obtain approval from the Commission for any routine maintenance, repair, or replacement of any portion of a project works necessary to maintain the project works in accordance with this subsection or for any seasonal or temporary adjustments to project operations in response to circumstances beyond the reasonable control of the licensee.. (c) Savings clause Nothing in this section or an amendment made by this section— (1) affects any authority of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission— (A) to require notice from a licensee under subsection (a) or (b) of section 10 of the Federal Power Act (16 U.S.C. 803); or (B) to enforce requirements of that section or the terms of a license issued under part I of the Federal Power Act (16 U.S.C. 792 et seq.) with respect to the safety of any dam and appurtenant works and structures; or (2) (A) precludes any prompt, informal consultation between the licensee and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, at the request of the licensee or the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, with respect to the safety of any dam and appurtenant works and structures in advance of work to be undertaken under section 10 of the Federal Power Act (16 U.S.C. 803); or (B) affects any authority of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to require changes in advance of the work described in subparagraph (A) to protect the safety of any dam and appurtenant works and structures.