[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 48 (Tuesday, April 16, 1996)]
[House]
[Pages H3417-H3418]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      EXTENSION OF FEDERAL POWER ACT DEADLINE FOR PROJECT IN OHIO

  Mr. SCHAEFER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 2816) to reinstate the license for, and extend the deadline 
under the Federal Power Act applicable to the construction of, a 
hydroelectric project in Ohio, and for other purposes.

                               H.R. 2816

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

[[Page H3418]]

     SECTION 1. REINSTATEMENT OF LICENSE AND EXTENSION DEADLINE.

       Notwithstanding the expiration of the license and 
     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 
     numbered 3218, the Commission shall, at the request of the 
     licensee for the project, reinstate the license effective 
     September 25, 1993, and extend the time period during which 
     the licensee is required to commence the construction of the 
     project so as to terminate on September 24, 1999.

  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. 2816.
  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. Speaker, H.R. 2816 directs the Federal Energy Regulatory 
Commission to reinstate the license and extend the deadline for 
construction of a hydroelectric project in Ohio. This 49-megawatt 
project is located at an existing Army Corps of Engineers dam on the 
Ohio River, at Tiltonsville, OH. The deadline for commencement of 
construction expired on April 15, 1993, and the Federal Energy 
Regulatory Commission accepted surrender of the license. H.R. 2816 
would reinstate the license and extend the construction deadline until 
September 24, 1999. FERC does not oppose the bill since it limits the 
extension. This legislation was introduced by our colleague, 
Representative Bob Ney of Ohio.
  I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 2186.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, we also support the bill.
  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 Ohio [Mr. Ney].
  Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague, the gentleman 
from Colorado, for yielding time to me.
  Mr. Speaker, I wanted to point out the importance of H.R. 2816. Of 
course, as has been stated, it is a bill to extend the deadline for 
construction of a hydroelectric project in Ohio. It is in Belmont 
County. It is located at the Pike Island Locks and Dam in our county in 
Ohio. It will have a very positive impact on the local economy, Mr. 
Speaker, in this area. The anticipated cost is estimated between $106 
million and $130 million, with a cost of approximately $85 million for 
civic, electrical, and mechanical construction. The Pike Island project 
would provide between 84 and 139 construction jobs over a 3-year period 
with a payroll between $10.8 million and $18.6 million.
  This project, Mr. Speaker, was brought to our attention by Yorkville, 
OH in the district of the gentleman from Ohio [Mr. Regula]. I want to 
thank him for being a cosponsor.
  I also want to point out that this is also an environmentally 
friendly project. The development of the Pike Island project can 
satisfy part of the supply-side electrical generating capacity that the 
region will need to meet its growth. The project will also generate 
approximately 49.5 megawatts and provide important reductions in the 
emissions of sulfur dioxide and other airborne pollutants. More 
importantly for our area, I want to point out that clean air credits 
will also be generated, which is important in helping to ensure we can 
burn our region's high-sulfur coal and we can continue to burn the coal 
that is important for our jobs.
  The Pike Island project will also create and preserve local 
employment, enhance recreational and sporting opportunities for local 
residents, and will pay considerable taxes and fees. That is for the 
entire region of Belmont County in Ohio.
  Mr. Speaker, also I want to say in closing, I want to thank the 
county commissioners in Belmont County, Commissioners Beaning, Coyne, 
and Pollak, and also Don Myers, our director of development, who worked 
with us on this project. It is a good bill, and I urge support.
  Mr. SCHAEFER. Mr. Speaker, I thank my good friend, the gentleman from 
Ohio [Mr. Ney], for his remarks, 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. 2816.
  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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