[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 48 (Monday, April 27, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S3603]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   THE MISSOURI RIVER ENERGY SERVICES

  Mr. DASCHLE. Mr. President, today I would like to share with my 
colleagues a development that is occurring in my region with an 
organization that has long been an agent of change. The Missouri Basin 
Municipal Power Agency is a joint action agency that provides 
affordable electricity, through its 58 municipal utility members, to 
over 200,000 consumers in my home state of South Dakota, and to 
citizens of North Dakota, Minnesota and Iowa.
  The agency was formed in 1960 to coordinate municipalities' efforts 
to negotiate the purchase of power and energy from the Federal 
government. In 1970, the Federal government informed public power 
systems in the region that their growing power supply needs could no 
longer be met through the Federal hydropower program. Missouri Basin 
stepped in and met the supplemental power supply of its member 
communities by participating in, among other arrangements, the Laramie 
River Station coal-fired plant, one of the cleanest coal plants in the 
country.
  Over the years, the agency has played a vital role in meeting the 
energy needs of the region. The agency has promoted integrated resource 
planning, carried out an aggressive tree planting program, and 
continued to provide its customers with affordable, reliable 
electricity.
  Faced with a changing electricity market, Missouri Basin this month 
changed its name to Missouri River Energy Services, signaling its 
readiness to embrace a new era in which utilities will provide many 
added services and benefits for their customers. Missouri River Energy 
Services is rising to meet this challenge admirably.
  I appreciate the work Missouri River Energy Services has done for our 
communities and wish the agency the best of luck as it helps forge the 
future of the electricity industry.
  Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Thomas). Without objection, it is so 
ordered.

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