[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 179 (Monday, November 13, 1995)]
[House]
[Pages H12145-H12146]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




EXTENDING FEDERAL POWER ACT DEADLINE FOR CONSTRUCTION OF THREE ARKANSAS 
                         HYDROELECTRIC PROJECTS

  Mr. SCHAEFER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 657) to extend the deadline under the Federal Power Act 
applicable to the construction of three hydroelectric projects in the 
State of Arkansas.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                                H.R. 657

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. EXTENSION OF DEADLINES.

       Notwithstanding the time limitations of section 13 of the 
     Federal Power Act (16 U.S.C. 806) the Federal Energy 
     Regulatory Commission, upon the request of the licensee for 
     FERC Project No. 4204, 4660, and 4659 (and after reasonable 
     notice), is authorized, in accordance with the good faith, 
     due diligence, and public interest requirements of such 
     section 13 and the Commission's procedures under such 
     section, to extend the time required for commencement of 
     construction for the project for up to a maximum of 3 
     consecutive 2-year periods. This section shall take effect 
     for the project upon the expiration of the extension (issued 
     by the Commission under such section 13) of the period 
     required for commencement of construction of such project.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Colorado [Mr. Schaefer] will be recognized for 20 minutes, and the 
gentleman from New Jersey [Mr. Pallone] will be recognized for 20 
minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Colorado [Mr. Schaefer].
  Mr. SCHAEFER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  (Mr. SCHAEFER asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. SCHAEFER. Mr. Speaker, this bill would extend the deadline for 
commencement of construction for three projects constituting the 21-
megawatt White River Project in Arkansas for up to 6 years. The 
licensees for these projects, the city of Batesville and Independence 
County, have invested more than $4 million in development. The 
licensees seek an extension because they have not been able to obtain a 
power sales contract. Construction of these projects will create new 
jobs for local residents and produce about $300,000 in annual revenues 
for local governments. During construction, the licensees plan to spend 
more than $12 million on wages and salaries, and nearly $38 million on 
materials, providing further employment and income to 

[[Page H 12146]]
local communities. The bill was introduced by our colleague, 
Representative Lincoln of Arkansas. There is a need for congressional 
action, since the construction deadline for one of the projects ran out 
last week.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  This is the first of eight bills that we will consider this afternoon 
that deal with hydroelectric projects, and as the gentleman from 
Colorado mentioned, there has not been any objection to any of these 
bills.
  The Federal Power Action allows the licensee 2 years to begin 
construction of a hydroelectric project once the license is issued and 
can extend that deadline but may do so only once and only for 2 years. 
However, there are many obstacles that make it difficult for projects 
to commence construction during either the initial license time frame 
or the extension time frame.
  Perhaps the most frequent reason for delay is the lack of a power 
purchase agreement, for without such an agreement it is unlikely a 
project could get financed. Because of the limitations set in the 
Federal Power Act, the House has had a long bipartisan tradition of 
moving noncontroversial license extensions, and I am pleased we are 
continuing that tradition today with the gentleman from Colorado and 
myself and our subcommittee by taking up these bills that were 
reported, as I said, without dissent by the Committee on Commerce, and 
so I would ask that the first bill, H.R. 657, be considered.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. SCHAEFER. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Colorado [Mr. Schaefer] that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the bill, H.R. 657.
  The question was taken.
  Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 5 of rule I and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.

                          ____________________