[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 114 (Wednesday, September 5, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1575]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              SECURING AMERICA'S FUTURE ENERGY ACT OF 2001

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                               speech of

                        HON. W.J. (BILLY) TAUZIN

                              of louisiana

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, August 1, 2001

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 4) to 
     enhance energy conservation, research and development and to 
     provide for security and diversity in the energy supply for 
     the American people, and for other purposes:

  Mr. TAUZIN. Mr. Chairman, I continue to be concerned about the energy 
situation in the Pacific Northwest. Earlier this year, language was 
offered in House Energy and Water Appropriations bill to increase the 
borrowing authority at the Bonneville Power Administration by $2 
billion for transmission upgrading. I understand the language has been 
put into the Energy and Water bill on the Senate side.
  Part of the transmission problem in the Northwest has been created by 
the temporary closure of aluminum facilities, especially those in 
Western Montana and Eastern Washington.
  I am concerned about Bonneville's actions to reduce and possibly 
eliminate future electricity sales to the aluminum smelters in the 
Northwest, which collectively make up about 40% of total U.S. primary 
aluminum production. These actions will not only have significant and 
adverse impacts on the transmission system in the Northwest, but will 
also create economic dislocations in the communities in which these 
facilities have operated. This is not just a Northwest issue, however, 
since it could adversely affect the global supply and demand for 
aluminum.
  I have raised these issues with the Department of Energy and will 
continue to work on them as a priority. As the Committee continues to 
deal with energy legislation, we may hold hearings on this subject and 
may consider legislative remedies to the situation in the Northwest. I 
intend to preserve and exercise the Energy and Commerce Committee's 
jurisdiction over BPA's transmission and power sales issues.

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