[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 86 (Friday, June 26, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1271]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


         ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 1999

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                               speech of

                        HON. ROBERT B. ADERHOLT

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, June 22, 1998

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 4060) making 
     appropriations for Energy and water development for the 
     fiscal year ending September 30, 1999, and for other 
     purposes:

  Mr. ADERHOLT. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of H.R. 4060, the 
Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 1999, 
and for the hard work of Chairman McDade and Ranking Member Fazio. 
Although the allocation is tight, they managed to craft a bill that 
reverses the irresponsible cuts in the budget for the Army Corps of 
Engineers and other infrastructure projects that are so important to 
this nation. However, I am concerned about the lack of funding for the 
non-power programs administered by the Tennessee Valley Authority 
(TVA).
  Since its creation in 1933, TVA has had two responsibilities in the 
Tennessee Valley: produce electric power; and to provide flood control, 
navigation, and manage aquatic vegetation growth along the Tennessee 
River and its tributaries. Many people in Washington today confuse the 
non-power programs with the larger issue of electric utility 
restructuring.
  I realize that last year the House decided to eliminate funding for 
non-power programs because the Chairman of TVA, Craven Crowell, 
announced in early 1997 that TVA would forgo non-power programs to 
concentrate on the production of electric power. The residents in the 
Tennessee Valley and the state and local governments expressed a strong 
desire for TVA to continue its traditional non-power programs.
  Under the agreement reached last year between the House and the 
Senate, TVA is scheduled to receive no funding for these important 
programs in Fiscal Year 1999. However, the Senate has included $70 
million for the programs, and I am hopeful that when the Energy and 
Water bill goes to Conference, the House will reconsider funding the 
non-power programs for Fiscal Year 1999. Until there is an alternative 
with a clear transition, it is imperative that TVA continue these 
programs through the appropriations process. The ratepayers of my 
Congressional District, and throughout the Tennessee Valley, deserve no 
less.

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