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




PROVIDING FOR EXTENSION OF CERTAIN WEST VIRGINIA HYDROELECTRIC PROJECTS

  Mr. SCHAEFER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 1051) to provide for the extension of certain hydroelectric 
projects located in the State of West Virginia.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H.R. 1051

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

     SECTION 1. EXTENSION OF DEADLINE.

       (a) In General.--Notwithstanding the time period specified 
     in section 13 of the Federal Power Act (16 U.S.C. 806) that 
     would otherwise apply to Federal Energy Regulatory Commission 
     projects numbered 6901 and 6902, the Commission shall, upon 
     the request of the licensee for those projects, in accordance 
     with the good faith, due diligence, and public interest 
     requirements of that section, the Commission's procedures 
     under that section, and the procedures specified in that 
     section, extend the time period during which the licensee is 
     required to commence construction of those projects so as to 
     terminate on October 3, 1999.
       (b) Applicability.--Subsection (a) shall take effect for 
     the projects upon the expiration of the extension, issued by 
     the Commission under section 13 of the Federal Power Act (16 
     U.S.C. 806), of the period required for commencement of 
     construction of the projects.
       (c) Reinstatement of Expired License.--If a license for a 
     project described in subsection (a) has expired prior to the 
     date of enactment of this Act, the Commission shall reinstate 
     the license effective as of the date of its expiration and 
     extend the time required for commencement of construction of 
     the project until October 3, 1999.

  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 
two projects in West Virginia with a capacity of 37 and 35 megawatts 
until October 3, 1999, which would extend the deadline to 10 years 
after the date the licenses were issued. The licensee, the city of New 
Martinsville, has already invested about $4 million in planning and 
permitting. Project construction has not yet commenced because the 
licensee has been unable to secure a power sales contract needed to 
finance construction. The benefits of these projects are substantial. 
The licensee estimates construction will cost about $200 million and 
create hundreds of jobs. This bill was introduced by our colleague, Mr. 
Mollohan of West Virginia. The construction deadlines for these 
projects have already run out, but H.R. 1051 provides for reinstatement 
of the licenses.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, these two projects have achieved bipartisan support. I 
urge adoption of the legislation.
  Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and 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. 1051.
  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.

                          ____________________