[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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