A cross-section of hydropower stakeholders are facing uncertainty with how to move forward in implementing and complying with various licensing and other regulatory approvals. In the U.S., the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission requires that hydropower licensees relicense their projects on a regular basis and can use the results from relevant previous relicensing proceedings. This panel explores the challenges, opportunities and next steps related to recent regulatory developments with the Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act and National Environmental Policy Act, among others – including recent developments from the Biden Administration. This session also explores how previous studies may affect relicensing and how decisions can have improved outcomes.