[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 68 (Friday, May 26, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E974]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2007

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                               speech of

                            HON. JAY INSLEE

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 24, 2006

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 5427), 
     making appropriations for energy and water development for 
     the fiscal year ending September 30, 2007, and for other 
     purposes:

  Mr. INSLEE. Mr. Chairman, I rise today to offer an amendment to the 
fiscal year Energy and Water appropriations bill which would stop Enron 
from once again cheating northwest consumers. I have worked with my 
colleagues and with Snohomish Public Utility District, SnoPUD, to 
ensure that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission plays fair in the 
case between Enron Power Marketing Inc. and SnoPUD. For too long, Enron 
has been harassing utilities for termination fees through the FERC 
administrative litigation system.
  The Enron Corporation has already wronged consumers through its 
manipulation of the energy market during the energy crisis of 2001. It 
wasn't bad enough that Enron already collected an astonishing $1.8 
billion through their market-manipulation schemes, including millions 
from SnoPUD. Today, Enron is trying to bilk another $122 million from 
Washington State consumers.
  Enron argues that they deserve a fee for the termination of their 
contract for electricity that they never delivered to Snohomish Public 
Utility District, SnoPUD. Snohomish PUD's contention is that because 
the power was never delivered, and because these contracts with Enron 
were entered into when the company was illegally manipulating the 
electricity market to inflate rates, these contracts are invalid.
  Mr. Chairman, my amendment to the fiscal year 2007 Energy and Water 
Appropriations Act would prohibit the FERC from enforcing any decision 
that deems a termination payment is due to Enron from SnoPUD during 
fiscal year 2007. It's Congress's responsibility to ensure protection 
for consumers like those being served by Snohomish PUD from companies 
like the Enron Corporation. With this amendment, Congress will be 
deciding to stand with Enron, or stand with ratepayers.

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