[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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