[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 24 (Tuesday, February 27, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Page S1638]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mrs. BOXER (for herself and Mrs. Feinstein):
  S. 408. A bill to provide emergency relief to small businesses 
affected by significant increases in the price of electricity; to the 
Committee on Small Business.
  Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, today, I am introducing the Small Business 
Electricity Emergency Relief Act. As the electricity crisis in 
California continues, small businesses are being hit hard by the 
increase in electricity prices.
  Across California, small business owners are opening their 
electricity bills only to be in a state of shock. In some cases they 
find that their bills have doubled, and sometimes even tripled. This 
has resulted in many small businesses having to close their doors and 
many more facing severe economic hardship.
  Under the Small Business Electricity Emergency Relief Act of 2001, 
the Small Business Administration could make loans to small businesses 
that have suffered economic injury due to a ``sharp and significant 
increase'' in their electricity bills.
  This legislation will provide California's small businesses with some 
much needed financial relief. This will greatly assist small businesses 
in the San Diego region that suffered dramatic increases in their 
electricity bills last summer.
  Small businesses represent the heart of our great state's thriving 
economy. This legislation will ensure that these small businesses are 
provided assistance to help keep their lights on.

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