[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 48 (Tuesday, April 16, 1996)]
[House]
[Page H3416]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   EXTENSION OF FEDERAL POWER ACT DEADLINE FOR A PROJECT IN ILLINOIS

  Mr. SCHAEFER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 2630) to extend the deadline for commencement of 
construction of a hydroelectric project in the State of Illinois, as 
amended.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H.R. 2630

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

     SECTION 1. EXTENSION OF COMMENCEMENT OF CONSTRUCTION DEADLINE 
                   FOR HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT IN THE STATE OF 
                   ILLINOIS.

       (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 the Federal Energy Regulatory 
     Commission project unnumbered 3246, the Commission shall, at 
     the request of the licensee for the project, in accordance 
     with the good faith, due diligence, and public interest 
     requirements of that section and the Commission's procedures 
     under that section, extend until October 15, 1997, the time 
     period during which the licensee is required to commence 
     construction of the project.
       (b) Applicability.--Subsection (a) shall take effect on 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 
     project described in subsection (a).
       (c) Reinstatement of License.--The Commission is authorized 
     to reinstate the license for the project referred to in 
     section (a), effective as of the date of its expiration or 
     termination.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Colorado [Mr. Schaefer] and the gentleman from New Jersey [Mr. Pallone] 
will each be recognized for 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Colorado [Mr. Schaefer].


                             General Leave

  Mr. SCHAEFER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their 
remarks on H.R. 2630, as amended.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Colorado?
  There was no objection.
  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, H.R. 2630 as amended directs the Federal 
Energy Regulatory Commission to extend the deadline for construction of 
a hydroelectric project in Illinois. This 78-megawatt project would be 
located at an existing Corps of Engineers dam on the Mississippi River, 
in St. Charles County, MO, and Madison County, IL. There was a previous 
legislative extension of the construction period for this project in 
the 1991 highway bill. There is good reason to act on H.R. 2630 in a 
timely manner, since the construction deadline expired on October 15, 
1995, and FERC has issued a notice of probable termination. This bill 
was introduced by our colleague, Representative Jerry Costello of 
Illinois.
  I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 2630.

                              {time}  1315

  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I would indicate support on our side of the aisle for 
the bill. The gentleman from Illinois [Mr. Costello] was here before 
and asked, of course, that it be moved.
  Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2630, 
legislation to extend the deadline for beginning construction on a 
hydroelectric project in southwestern Illinois. The Federal Power Act 
requires construction of a hydroelectric project to begin within 2 
years after the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [FERC] issues a 
license. FERC can grant one additional extension, which it has already 
done. This bill will extend the time period in which construction must 
begin by 2 years.
  This project is important to meet the energy and economic needs of 
southwestern Illinois. This region of my district has seen tremendous 
job loss and a shrinking tax base due to reduced job opportunities in 
manufacturing. Royalties from power sales will provide revenue to the 
local city for capital improvements and other projects which will 
positively impact area employment.
  The project has been planned in a way that addresses potential 
environmental concerns. The current proposal utilizes a turbine design, 
which will reduce the plant's impact on fish and other aquatic life. In 
fact, the fishways to be constructed upstream and downstream from the 
plant will actually improve fishing access for anglers.
  I urge my colleagues to support this extension of time allowed to 
construct a hydroelectric power facility in southwestern Illinois.
  Mr. PALLONE. 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 (Mr. Camp). 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. 2630, 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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