[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 30 (Thursday, March 8, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E313]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO ROGER FONTES

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. DOUG OSE

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 8, 2001

  Mr. OSE. Mr. Speaker, today, all eyes are turned to California and 
the current electricity crisis. While there are many problems and many 
causes, it is important that we also take a moment to give credit to 
the individuals and entities that have helped meet our State's energy 
needs and helped chart a path out of this current crisis. Roger Fontes 
is one of those individuals.
  For the past 13 years, Mr. Fontes has served as the Assistant General 
Manager of the Northern California Power Agency (NCPA), a joint action 
agency that serves the wholesale power needs of 15 public power 
systems, including the City of Gridley in my District. NCPA has been a 
shinning star within the State, and Roger Fontes has played a critical 
role in that success. Under Roger's supervision, NCPA constructed 
geothermal, hydroelectric and gas-fired power plants to meet their 
communities' needs in a reliable and cost-effective fashion. In the 
midst of the current crisis, it is worth nothing that these municipal 
utilities are islands of stability. Roger also over saw NCPA's 
legislative and regulatory programs, advancing sound energy policies 
for the consumers and businesses they serve.
  Prior to joining NCPA, Mr. Fontes was responsible for state-wide 
generation and transmission planning at the California Energy 
Commission. He also worked at the Los Angeles Department of 
Environmental Quality and the Los Angeles Department of Water and 
Power.
  While Roger is retiring from NCPA, he is not leaving the field. Roger 
and his family are moving to Orlando, where he will be the general 
manager of the Florida Municipal Power Agency. We will miss him in 
California, but are heartened by the knowledge that his sound public 
policy counsel will continue to be available. I ask my colleagues to 
join me in thanking Roger Fontes for his service to California 
electricity consumers and to with him and his family the best in his 
future endeavors.

                          ____________________