[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 57 (Tuesday, March 28, 1995)]
[House]
[Page H3820]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


         SELLING BONNEVILLE POWER ADMINISTRATION IS A BAD IDEA

  (Mr. COOLEY asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. COOLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to inform my colleagues that 
selling the Bonneville Power Administration is a bad idea for now.
  If we are looking for someone to buy BPA, the only buyer I know, 
foolish enough to take on an investment like this, is Uncle Sam 
himself. In fact, if we did find such a buyer, they would probably have 
a deed to the Brooklyn Bridge.
  Here are just five of the reasons that make Bonneville a bad 
candidate for privatization. First, there will be incredible costs 
associated with the Endangered Species Act requirements.
  Second, nuclear plant investments have gone bad, creating more costs 
to cut profit margins.
  Third, this year alone, it is recommended that BPA spend $500 million 
on fish and wildlife mitigation costs.
  Fourth, you cannot sell what is not yours. Numerous counties and 
cities have vested interests in the facilities and transmission 
equipment.
  Finally, there are treaty considerations with Canada that will 
profoundly complicate matters.
  Clearly, while privatization sounds good for the taxpayer, there is a 
right way and wrong way to go about it. Now is not the time for BPA.


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