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




 EXTENSION OF FEDERAL POWER ACT DEADLINE FOR PROJECTS IN NORTH CAROLINA

  Mr. SCHAEFER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 2773) to extend the deadline under the Federal Power Act 
applicable to the construction of 2 hydroelectric projects in North 
Carolina, and for other purposes, as amended.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H.R. 2773

       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) Project Numbered 10812.--
       (1) 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 numbered 10812, the Commission shall, at 
     the request of the licensee for the project, and after 
     reasonable notice, in accordance with the good faith, due 
     diligence, and public interest requirements of that section 
     and the Commission's procedures under that section, extend 
     the time period during which the licensee is required to 
     commence the construction of the project, under the extension 
     described in paragraph (2), for not more than 3 consecutive 
     2-year periods.
       (2) Effective date.--This subsection shall take effect on 
     the date of the expiration of the extension of the period 
     required for commencement of construction of the project 
     described in paragraph (1) that the Commission issued, prior 
     to the date of enactment of this Act, under section 13 of the 
     Federal Power Act (16 U.S.C. 806).
       (b) Project Numbered 6879.--
       (1) 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 numbered 6879, the Commission may, at the 
     request of the licensee for the project, and after reasonable 
     notice, in accordance with the good faith, due diligence, and 
     public interest requirements of that section and the 
     Commission's procedures under that section, extend the time 
     period during which the licensee is required to commence the 
     construction of the project for not more than 3 consecutive 
     2-year periods.
       (2) Effective date.--This subsection shall take effect on 
     the date of the expiration of the period required for 
     commencement of construction of the project under the license 
     for the project.

  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. 2773, 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. Speaker, H.R. 2773, as amended, directs the Federal Energy 
Regulatory Commission to extend the deadline for construction of two 
projects in North Carolina. The first project is a 4.8-megawatt project 
to be located at an existing Army Corps of Engineers dam on the Yadkin 
River in Wilkes County, NC. The second project is an 815-kilowatt 
project to be located at an existing private dam on the Second Broad 
River in Rutherford County, NC. There is a need to act on this 
legislation, since the deadline for commencement of construction of the 
two projects expired on October 28, 1994, and March 20, 1995. Moreover, 
the Commission has issued a notice of probable termination for one of 
the projects. This legislation is not opposed by FERC, since it 
includes limitations on the extensions. The measure was introduced by 
our colleague, Representative Sue Myrick of North Carolina.
  I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 2773.
  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 this bill on our side of the aisle, and 
urge its adoption.
  Mrs. MYRICK. Mr. Speaker, I proposed H.R. 2773 as a regulatory relief 
bill for two of America's many entrepreneurs.
  H.R. 2773 extends the construction license for two hydroelectric 
plants in North Carolina. Extending these deadlines allows these two 
individuals to participate in the fastest growing sector of our 
economy, small business. For example, Mr. Daniel Evans of Kings 
Mountain, N.C., a constituent of mine, has successfully worked to raise 
the capital on his own--no government handouts--and line up the 
purchasing of the land for this noteworthy project.
  This example of self-initiative shows that the entrepreneurial spirit 
is alive and well in America. I thank my colleagues in the House for 
voting for H.R. 2773 and showing their support for the small 
businessmen and businesswomen of this country.
  I also want to thank House Commerce Committee Chairman Thomas Bliley, 
Commerce Energy and Power Subcommittee Chairman Dan Schaefer, and 
Representative Richard Burr of North Carolina for all of their 
assistance in bringing H.R. 2773 to the House floor. Their tireless 
efforts are greatly appreciated by myself and all of the citizens of 
North Carolina who will benefit by having this added source of 
hydroelectric energy for their use.
  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. 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. 2773, 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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