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




  EXTENDING THE TIME FOR CONSTRUCTION OF CERTAIN FERC LICENSED HYDRO 
                                PROJECTS

  Mr. SCHAEFER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 680) to extend the time for construction of certain FERC 
licensed hydro projects.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                                H.R. 680

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

     SECTION 1. EXTENSION.

       Notwithstanding the limitations of section 13 of the 
     Federal Power Act, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 
     upon the request of the licensee or licensees for FERC 
     projects numbered 4244 and 10648 (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 
     each of such projects for up to a maximum of 3 consecutive 2-
     year periods. This section shall take effect for the projects 
     upon the expiration of the extension (issued by the 
     Commission under such section 13) of the period required for 
     commencement of construction of each 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 deadlines for 
construction of two projects in New York with a capacity of 9.7 and 
10.2 megawatts for up to 6 years, which would extend the deadline to up 
to 10 years after the date the licenses were issued. Adirondack Hydro 
Development Corp. is licensee for one of the projects, and general 
partner of the other. To date, the company has invested $2 million in 
development of the projects. The licensee has not been able to begin 
construction because it has not been able to obtain a power sales 
contract needed to secure financing. Construction and operation of the 
projects offers substantial benefits to the community, including an 
estimated 180 jobs, a payroll expenditure of $18 million, and a further 
$20 million spent on local purchases of materials. This legislation was 
introduced by our colleague, Representative Solomon of New York. The 
construction deadline for one of these projects is January 16, 1996, so 
time is running short.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, the gentleman from Colorado has explained the substance 
of the bill. It was reported out of our Subcommittee on Power and 
Energy and the full Committee on Commerce without objection. It is 
based on construction not having commenced for lack of a power-purchase 
agreement. I support the legislation.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. SCHAEFER. Mr. Speaker, 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. 680.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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