[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 179 (Monday, November 13, 1995)]
[House]
[Pages H12147-H12148]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      AUTHORIZING EXTENSION OF TIME LIMITATION FOR A FERC-ISSUED 
                         HYDROELECTRIC LICENSE

  Mr. SCHAEFER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 1014) to authorize extension of time limitation for a FERC-
issued hydroelectric license, as amended.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H.R. 1014

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled, That 
     notwithstanding the time limitation of section 13 of the 
     Federal Power Act, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 
     upon the request of the licensee for FERC Project No. 3701, 
     is authorized, in accordance with the good faith, due 
     diligence, and public interest requirements of section 13 and 
     the Commission's procedures under such section, to extend the 
     time required for the licensee to commence the construction 
     of such 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 section 13) of the period required for commencement of 
     construction of such project. If the license for FERC Project 
     3701 should expire prior to the date of enactment of this 
     Act, the Commission is authorized and directed to reinstate 
     effective June 1, 1995, the license previously issued for 
     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. Speaker, this bill would extend the deadline for construction of 
a 13.6-megawatt project in Washington for up to 6 years, which would 
extend the deadline for up to 10 years after the date the license was 
issued. The licensee is Yakima Tieton Irrigation District, which has 
been unable to being project construction due to the lack of a power 
sales contract. To date, the licensee has paid more than $380,000 for 
studies, investigations, and licensing of these project. The bill was 
introduced by our colleague, Representative Hastings of Washington. The 
deadline for commencement of construction ran out on May 31, 1995, but 
H.R. 1014 provides for reinstatement of the license upon enactment, as 
well as extension of the construction deadline.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I support H.R. 1014. There was no objective to this bill 
relating to the project in Washington State.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. SCHAEFER. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the 
gentleman from Washington [Mr. Hastings], the author of the 
legislation.
  Mr. HASTINGS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for 
yielding.
   Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1014. I want to thank my 
colleagues, the gentleman from Colorado, Chairman Schaefer, and the 
subcommittee's ranking member, Mr. Pallone, for their expeditious 
handling of this important piece of legislation.
   Mr. Speaker, H.R. 1014 is a noncontroversial bill that merely 
extends the time limitation for a FERC-issued hydroelectric license for 
the Yakima-Tieton Irrigation District.
  Located on the Tieton River in Yakima County, WA, the proposed 
project which began in the late 1970's calls for construction of a 13.6 
megawatt hydroelectric project at the existing Tieton Dam.
  In recent years, the irrigation district has entered into serious 
negotiations with Benton and Franklin County Public Utility Districts 
[PUD's] on a power purchase agreement.
  These efforts culminated last year in meetings between the irrigation 
district, PUD's, underwriters, and bond counsel to discuss a formal 
memorandum of understanding [MOU].
  It was determined, however, that a number of additional tasks must be 
completed before construction starts. The PUD's came to the conclusion 
that it was not feasible or realistic to meet these requirements by May 
31, 1995, the most recent FERC deadline. Consequently, they have sought 
an extension for start of construction.
  Project supporters tell me that if this deadline can be extended, a 
power purchase agreement could be worked out so that construction can 
be started as early as next fall.
  H.R. 1014 simply extends the FERC deadline for completion of this 
license to May 31, 2001. When completed and 

[[Page H 12148]]
paid for, the low cost, reliable power produced from this project would 
be available to serve the local area and would reduce power lost from 
wheeling over longer distances.
  After repayment of revenue bonds, the benefits from power revenue 
would go to reducing future operation and maintenance costs of the 
irrigation system. The project also provides many short term benefits 
for the public at large including construction of a nearby campground 
and enhanced recreational fishing.
  Mr. Speaker, there is strong support within the local community for 
this legislation, which was unanimously approved by the House Commerce 
Committee last month. All funding will come from bonds secured by the 
Power Purchase Agreement. No Federal funding is required.
  Again, I thank my colleagues for their assistance in making possible 
the passage of H.R. 1014. I strongly urge this House to vote in favor 
of this measure.
  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. 1014, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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