[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 30 (Tuesday, March 11, 1997)]
[House]
[Page H830]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    EXTENDING DEADLINE FOR HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT IN WASHINGTON STATE

  Mr. DAN SCHAEFER of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the 
rules and pass the bill (H.R. 652) to extend the deadline under the 
Federal Power Act for the construction of a hydroelectric project 
located in the State of Washington, and for other purposes.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                                H.R. 652

       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) 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 Federal Energy Regulatory Commission 
     project numbered 9025, the Commission shall, upon the request 
     of the project licensee, 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 construction of the project for not more than 3 
     consecutive 2-year periods.
       (b) Applicability.--An extension under subsection (a) shall 
     take effect for a project upon 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.
       (c) Reinstatement of Expired License.--If the license for 
     the project referred to in subsection (a) has expired prior 
     to the date of enactment of this Act, the Commission shall 
     reinstate the license effective as of the date of its 
     expiration and extend the time required for commencement of 
     construction of the project as provided in subsection (a) for 
     not more than 3 consecutive 2-year periods, the first of 
     which shall commence on the date of such expiration.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Colorado [Mr. Dan Schaefer], and the gentleman from Texas, [Mr. Hall] 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Colorado, [Mr. Dan Schaefer].
  (Mr. Dan Schaefer of Colorado asked and was given permission to 
revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. DAN SCHAEFER of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time 
as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 652, similar to H.R. 651, would authorize FERC to 
extend the deadline for the construction of the Hancock Creek Project, 
a 6-megawatt project in King County, WA, for up to three additional 2-
year periods.
  According to the project's sponsor, construction has not commenced 
for the lack of a power purchase agreement. There is a reason for the 
subcommittee to act as the construction deadline expires on June 21 of 
1997. FERC has no objection to this bill, H.R. 652, and I would urge 
support for the bill.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  (Mr. HALL of Texas asked and was given permission to revise and 
extend his remarks.)
  Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, today again I rise in support of H.R. 652, also 
introduced by a fine young man, the gentleman from Washington, Mr. Rick 
White. This bill simply allows the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission 
to extend the construction deadline for the Hancock Creek project in 
King County, WA.
  As the chairman stated, this is exactly like H.R. 651, a similar bill 
we just finished speaking in support of. H.R. 652 authorizes FERC to 
extend the commencement of the construction for the 6.3-megawatt 
project in Washington State for up to 6 years. With this extension, the 
hydroelectric project would have a full 10 years.
  I strongly urge Members to vote in support of H.R. 652 and allow this 
project sufficient time to commence its construction.
  Mr. DAN SCHAEFER of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he 
may consume the gentleman from Washington [Mr. White].
  Mr. WHITE. Mr. Speaker, once again I thank the chairman and ranking 
member for bringing this bill forward. It is exactly like H.R. 651. 
They both should pass for the same reasons.
  Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, 
and I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. DAN SCHAEFER of Colorado. 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. Dan Schaefer, that the House suspend the 
rules and pass the bill, H.R. 652.
  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.


                             GENERAL LEAVE

  Mr. DAN SCHAEFER of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent 
that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and 
extend their remarks on the bill, H.R. 652, and to insert extraneous 
material.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Colorado?
  There was no objection.

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