The House Energy and Commerce Committee has unanimously approved a bill to promote development of small hydropower and conduit projects.

It was written by Reps. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash., and Diana DeGette,D-Colo.

Conduit projects fit existing man-made structures, such as canals, with electric generating equipment. The legislation also would direct the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to study the feasibility of a streamlined two-year permitting process.

The legislation next will be considered by the full House, where it unanimously passed last year. However, the bill did not come up for a vote before the end of the session.