Regulatory changes in France 4 1 Hydropower concessions Article 7 of the French Law of December 30, 2006 no 2006- 1722 on water and aquatic environments removed the outgoing operator' s preferential right instituted by the law of October 16, 1919 on the use of hydropower. Article 33 of the French Law of December 30, 2006 no 2006- 1771.