[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 80 (Tuesday, June 10, 1997)]
[House]
[Pages H3585-H3586]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    EXTENDING DEADLINE FOR AuSABLE HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT IN NEW YORK

  Mr. DAN SCHAEFER of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the 
rules and pass the bill (H.R. 848) to extend the deadline under the 
Federal Power Act applicable to the construction of the AuSable 
hydroelectric project in New York, and for other purposes.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                                H.R. 848

       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 10836.--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 10836-000NY, 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 subsection (b), for not more than 
     3 consecutive 2-year periods.
       (b) 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 subsection (a) 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).
       (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. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself 5 minutes.
  (Mr. DAN SCHAEFER of Colorado asked and was given permission to 
revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. DAN SCHAEFER of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, under section 13 of the 
Federal Power Act, project construction must begin within 4 years of 
issuance of a license. If construction has not begun by that time, the 
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission cannot extend the deadline and 
must terminate that license.
  H.R. 848 and H.R. 1184 provide for extensions for the construction 
deadline if the sponsor pursues the commencement of construction in 
good faith and with due diligence. H.R. 1217 provides additional time 
to complete construction of a project.
  These types of bills have not been controversial in the past. The 
bills do not change the license requirements in any way and do not 
change environmental standards but merely extend construction 
deadlines. There is a time in which we have to act, since construction 
deadlines for one project expired in February and the others expire in 
the coming months. If Congress does not act, the FERC will terminate 
the licenses, the project sponsors will lose millions of dollars that 
they have invested in these projects, and communities will lose the 
prospect of significant job creation and added revenues.
  I should also note that the bills incorporate the views of the 
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. The Energy and Power Subcommittee 
solicited the views of FERC, and the agency does not oppose any of the 
three bills we have up today.
  I would like to briefly describe the first of the bills, H.R. 848. It 
is a bill to extend the deadline for commencement of construction of a 
hydroelectric project in the State of New York. The AuSable project is 
very important to the village of Keeseville. The Prescott Mill 
hydropower project was the symbolic heart of the community and the 
major employee in Keeseville from 1832 until the 1960's. The demise of 
Prescott Mill in the 1960's caused economic hardship in the village 
that can be felt today.
  Redevelopment of the project will provide a badly needed boost to an 
area

[[Page H3586]]

that is going through some very hard times. Jobs are important 
everywhere, we all know that, but especially in Keeseville, whose 
unemployment is nearly 18 percent. The Prescott Mill project would 
permit the village to attract more businesses, provide 35 temporary 
jobs during construction and 75 permanent jobs. There is extensive 
support in the village of Keeseville for this particular project.
  There is a need to act on H.R. 848 in a timely manner, since the 
construction deadline expired last February.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that Members support H.R. 848 for the people in 
Keeseville, NY.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  (Mr. HALL of Texas asked and was given permission to revise and 
extend his remarks.)
  Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, as the gentleman from Colorado has 
pointed out, H.R. 848 would authorize FERC to extend the deadline for 
commencement of construction of the 800-kilowatt AuSable project to be 
located in New York.
  Mr. Speaker, FERC of course has the authority to extend the initial 
deadline but for no longer than 2 years. If additional time is needed, 
Congress can enact legislation to extend that deadline.
  I think I should also point out that it is not without warranted 
reason that these hydroelectric projects are in need of license 
extensions. In the case of the project in New York, it is very 
difficult to find a sponsor to secure financing until it has a power 
sales contract in hand. Generally a licensee cannot secure a contract 
until it has been granted a license. These circumstances make it 
critical for a construction license to be granted.
  There is no one opposed to it. It is an easy bill with no objection 
from FERC. I strongly urge my colleagues to join me in voting ``yes'' 
on H.R. 848.
  Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, 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. 848.
  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 and insert extraneous material on H.R. 848, the 
bill just passed.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Colorado?
  There was no objection.

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