[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 132 (Monday, September 28, 1998)]
[House]
[Pages H9104-H9105]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 EXTENDING DEADLINE UNDER FEDERAL POWER ACT APPLICABLE TO CONSTRUCTION 
             OF HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT IN STATE OF ARKANSAS

  Mr. DAN SCHAEFER of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the 
rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4081) to extend the deadline under the 
Federal Power Act applicable to the construction of a hydroelectric 
project in the State of Arkansas.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                               H.R. 4081

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. EXTENSION OF DEADLINES.

       Notwithstanding the time limitations of section 13 of the 
     Federal Power Act (16 U.S.C. 806), the Federal Energy 
     Regulatory Commission, upon the request of the licensee for 
     FERC Project No. 10455 (and after reasonable notice), is 
     authorized, in accordance with the good faith, due diligence 
     and public interest requirements of section 13 and the 
     Commission's procedures under such section, to extend the 
     time required for commencement of construction of the project 
     for up to a maximum of 3 consecutive 2-year periods. This 
     section shall take effect for the project upon the expiration 
     of the extension (issued by the Commission under section 13) 
     of the period required for commencement of such project.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Colorado (Mr. Dan Schaefer) and the gentlewoman from Missouri (Ms. 
McCarthy) 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 such time 
as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 4081 extends the construction period for a 
hydroelectric project in the State of Arkansas.
  Under section 13 of the Federal Power Act, project construction must 
begin within 4 years of issuance of the license. If construction has 
not begun by that time, FERC cannot extend the deadline and must 
terminate the license. H.R. 4081 provides up to 6 additional years to 
commence construction if the sponsor pursues the commencement of 
construction in good faith and with due diligence.
  These types of bills have not been controversial in the past. The 
bill does not change the license requirements in any way and does not 
change environmental standards, but merely extends the construction 
deadline.
  There is a need to act on this, since the construction deadline for 
the River Mountain Pumped Storage Project expires next month. If 
Congress does not act, FERC will terminate the license, the project 
sponsor will lose $8 million

[[Page H9105]]

they have invested in the project, and the local community will lose 
the prospect of significant job creation and added revenues. According 
to the project sponsor, construction of the River Mountain project will 
create 585 jobs and generate $1 billion for the local economy. If we do 
not act, the local community will lose these jobs and these revenues.
  These extension bills have not proved controversial in the past. H.R. 
4081 was approved by the Committee on Commerce by unanimous voice vote. 
I would ask its full support.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. McCARTHY of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume.
  (Ms. McCARTHY of Missouri asked and was given permission to revise 
and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. McCARTHY of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, today we are considering H.R. 
4081, legislation to extend the deadline under the Federal Power Act 
applicable to construction of a hydroelectric project in the State of 
Arkansas.
  H.R. 4081 would authorize FERC, upon the request of the licensee and 
in accordance with the requirements of section 13 of the Federal Power 
Act, to extend the deadline for commencement of construction for three 
consecutive two-year periods. FERC does not object to the enactment of 
this legislation.
  Mr. Speaker, this legislation is not controversial. A companion 
Senate bill has been approved by their Energy and Natural Resources 
Committee. I urge my colleagues to support this bill.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. DAN SCHAEFER of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, I do not have any other 
speakers, 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. 4081.
  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.

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