[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 59 (Tuesday, May 12, 1998)]
[House]
[Pages H3035-H3036]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
EXTENDING TIME REQUIRED FOR CONSTRUCTION OF A HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT
Mr. DAN SCHAEFER of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the
rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2841) to extend the time required for the
construction of a hydroelectric project, as amended.
The Clerk read as follows:
H.R. 2841
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. EXTENSION OF PERIOD TO COMMENCE CONSTRUCTION.
(a) In General.--Notwithstanding the time period specified
in section 13 of the Federal Power Act (16 U.S.C. 805) that
would otherwise apply to the Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission Project numbered 10395, the Commission shall, at
the request of the licensee for the project and after
reasonable notice, in accordance with the good faith, due
deference, 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), not more than 3 consecutive 2-
year periods.
(b) Effective Date.--This section 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).
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).
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 to include extraneous material on H.R. 2841,
as amended.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Colorado?
There was no objection.
Mr. DAN SCHAEFER of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time
as I may consume.
(Mr. DAN SCHAEFER of Colorado asked and was given permission to
revise and extend his remarks.)
Mr. DAN SCHAEFER of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, this legislation is very
similar to the bill we just went through, so that my description is
going to be very brief. Then I will yield to my good friend, the
gentleman from Kentucky.
Under section 13 of the Federal Power Act, project construction must
begin within 4 years of the issuance of a license. We know that. If
construction is not begun by that time, the Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission, again, cannot issue and cannot extend the deadline and must
terminate the license.
H.R. 2841 provides for extension of the construction deadline of the
Melhahl project, a 35 megawatt hydroelectric project in the State of
Kentucky, if the sponsor pursues the commencement of construction in
good faith and with due diligence. According to the City of Augusta,
the project sponsor, construction has not commenced because of
challenges from various competing applicants for this particular
license. H.R. 2841 provides for up to three different consecutive 2-
year extensions.
I think that this is something that we have to proceed with, in
conferring with my good friend, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Hall). I
have to apologize for my voice. I have a little bit of laryngitis here
today.
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, H.R. 2841 would simply extend the
deadline for commencement of construction of a 35-megawatt
hydroelectric project in Bracken County, Kentucky, for up to three
additional 2-year periods. According to the bill's sponsor, the
gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Bunning), construction has not commenced
because of the lack of a power purchase agreement. The deadline for
commencement of construction on this project expires on July 31, 1999.
H.R. 2841 does not ease the hydroelectric licensing requirement, but
merely extends the period for commencement of project construction. The
chairman of the Subcommittee on Energy and Power, the honorable
gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Dan Schaefer), has brought to the floor
with this bill a manager's amendment which corrects a typographical
error in section 1(b) of the legislation. I support this technical
correction.
Mr. Speaker, the legislation is not controversial, I urge my
colleagues to support it, and I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. DAN SCHAEFER of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he
may consume to the gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Bunning).
Mr. BUNNING. Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend and manager, the
gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Dan Schaefer), and also my friend, the
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Hall), and I rise in strong support of H.R.
2841, legislation I introduced to extend the construction deadline for
a proposed hydroelectric plant in my district.
[[Page H3036]]
Late last year I learned that the Augusta hydroelectric power project
was running into some difficulties in securing private investors
because of an impending construction deadline set by the Federal
Emergency Regulatory Commission.
This is an extremely important project to my constituents in the
northern part of Kentucky, and without congressional actions to extend
this deadline, thousands of residents in my State could miss out on a
tremendous source of inexpensive electricity.
{time} 1445
The bill simply extends the present deadline set by the Federal
Energy Regulatory Commission for 6 more years, which will provide the
necessary time for the city of Augusta Kentucky to seek and obtain new
investors for this important project. However, without our assistance
today, this project will not meet its current construction deadline and
be terminated.
By passing this legislation, we can help make sure that that does not
happen. I appreciate the Committee on Commerce's quick action in
bringing this important bill to the floor and look forward to working
with them in the future to make sure this project is completed. I urge
all of my colleagues to support this meaningful legislation.
I thank the chairman for yielding time to me.
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 (Mr. Bereuter). 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. 2841, as amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor
thereof) the rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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