(a)
Loan authority
The Secretary, after consultation with the Commission, is authorized to make a loan to any municipality, electric cooperative, industrial development agency, nonprofit organization, or other person to assist such person in defraying up to 90 percent of the costs of—
(1)
studies to determine the feasibility of undertaking a small hydroelectric power project at an existing dam or dams and
(2)
preparing any application for a necessary license or other Federal, State, and local approval respecting such a project at an existing dam or dams and of participating in any administrative proceeding regarding any such application.