[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 58 (Wednesday, May 1, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E696]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    DISAPPROVING OF ORDERS NUMBER 888 AND 889 BY THE FEDERAL ENERGY 
                         REGULATORY COMMISSION

                                 ______


                            HON. BOB FRANKS

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, May 1, 1996

  Mr. FRANKS of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing a joint 
resolution to disapprove the rules submitted by the Federal Energy 
Regulatory Commission on Wednesday, April 24, promoting wholesale 
competition through open access transmission services by public 
utilities.
  The economic benefits of open transmission are great, as energy 
companies will be able to freely purchase the least expensive power 
from any generating facility and use open transmission lines to bring 
it to their customers. In fact, FERC estimates that consumers will save 
between $3.8 and $5.4 billion annually on their energy bills.
  However, in formulating these rules, FERC has ignored the dramatic 
environmental impact that open transmission will have on the quality of 
air that drifts into the Northeastern United States. FERC's own numbers 
show that open transmission will result in an increase in several 
hundred thousand tons of nitrogen oxides into the 27 States east of the 
Mississippi River.
  Since January, the Governors of several Northeastern States, 20 
Members of Congress, and the Ozone Transport Commission urged FERC to 
consider environmental mitigation in the promulgation of these rules. 
Even the Environmental Protection Agency formally stated that this rule 
should be adopted only if FERC makes an appropriate commitment to 
mitigation of potential environmental harm.
  Mr. Speaker, the restructuring of the electric power industry must 
only by done in conjunction with appropriate mitigation of power plant 
emissions. Until such measures are in place, this rule should not move 
forward.
  Therefore, I am introducing this joint resolution to disapprove of 
these rules. I encourage the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to 
work with the appropriate government agencies so that utility 
deregulation can proceed correctly. I strongly urge my colleagues to 
support this resolution.

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