[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 90 (Wednesday, July 12, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Pages S7417-S7420]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Ms. MURKOWSKI (for herself and Mrs. Feinstein):
  S. 3639. A bill to amend the Reclamation Wastewater and Groundwater 
Study and Facilities Act to provide standards and procedures for the 
review of water reclamation and reuse projects; to the Committee on 
Energy and Natural Resources.
  Ms. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, today I join my colleague, from the 
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, Senator Dianne Feinstein of 
California, in introducing the Reclaiming the Nation's Water Act--
ReNew.
  We introduce this bill after months of review of the Nation's 
program, now over a decade old, that attempts to encourage the 
reclamation and use of water. The Bureau's title XVI program originated 
in 1992 in response to the Southwestern drought of the late 1980s and 
early 1990s. At that time, Congress authorized the program in an 
attempt to alleviate pressure on the Colorado River system by 
augmenting existing supplies and developing new water sources.
  Since then, Congress has authorized some 31 projects and appropriated 
about $325 million for the program. During a February 28, 2006, hearing 
of the Senate Water and Power Subcommittee, the Congressional Research 
Service reported that only three of these projects have received full 
Federal funding and that 9 are listed as ``inactive,'' meaning they 
have received little or no Federal moneys.
  This massive backlog, which the Bureau of Reclamation has estimated 
will take at least 15 years to resolve, has not stopped local 
communities from seeking additional aid under the program. There are 
bills pending in Congress that would authorize an additional 19 
projects--projects that will likely overwhelm the Bureau of 
Reclamation's budget, if they were all to be funded fully under the 
existing program.
  In an effort to clarify the Federal role in developing new sources of 
water and in an effort to help local Government receive a dependable 
and timely supply of Federal assistance for truly worthy water reuse 
projects, we introduce this legislation to clarify and make permanent 
title XVI water reuse/reclamation/recycling grant assistance.
  Briefly, the bill:
  Amends the Reclamation and Wastewater and Groundwater Study and 
Facilities Act to provide standards and

[[Page S7418]]

procedures for the review of water reclamation and reuse projects. 
Under existing law, the title XVI program has operated without defined 
terms or specific purpose. This has led to confusion in recent years 
whether the title XVI program is primarily a demonstration program or 
was intended to finance permanent reclamation and reuse facilities. 
This legislation clarifies that the purpose of the title XVI program 
will be: (1) to assist in the development of permanent local and 
regional water reclamation and reuse projects; and (2) to further 
improve water reclamation and reuse technologies through research and 
demonstration activities.
  The legislation also authorizes the Secretary of Interior to 
participate in opportunities for water reclamation and reuse, including 
water recycling and desalination activities in reclamation States. The 
legislation provides new authority for the Secretary of the Interior to 
review non-Federal water reclamation and reuse project proposals, 
pursuant to new standards and procedures for such review. New standards 
would include providing sufficient evidence to the Secretary of 
Interior that the project: (1) is technically viable and (2) has a 
financially capable project sponsor. The Secretary would have 180 days 
to submit to Congress: (1) a statement and explanation of the project's 
technical and financial viability, and (2) a recommendation on whether 
the project should be authorized for construction based on several 
specific factors. Factors to be considered would range from items 
related to project costs and benefits, to whether the project would 
help serve an identified Federal interest. The bill also includes 
transition procedures.
  The bill as currently proposed also: (1) Strikes existing provisions 
providing for appraisal investigations and replaces them in part with a 
new planning and assistance program--$4.4 million authorized annually--
for non-Federal project sponsors electing to seek help in developing 
project proposals.
  (2) Strikes existing provisions providing for feasibility 
investigations and replaces them with a new technical and financial 
review process for evaluating non-Federal sponsor project proposals. 
Deadlines are included for the technical and financial viability 
reviews, and a process is established for reporting and making 
recommendations to Congress on project proposals for funding.
  (3) Clarifies that projects must be authorized for construction by 
the Congress before funds may be expended by the Secretary of the 
Interior for project construction.
  (4) Limits the Federal cost-share for projects to the lesser of 20 
percent or $20 million of total project costs--the current limit is 25 
percent or $20 million--excluding operations and maintenance costs.
  (5) And makes numerous technical and conforming amendments.
  Mr. President, I look forward to working with my colleagues, Members 
of the House, and the administration to perfect and move this bill 
through the process this year. I believe this bill will provide 
valuable assistance to local areas to increase the available supplies 
of potable water through the economic reuse and reclamation of water 
supplies, while providing an affordable and orderly process that will 
prove fairer to local communities and help them to receive federal 
assistance in a timely manner.
  I ask unanimous consent that a copy of the legislation be printed in 
the Record.
  There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be 
printed in the Record, as follows:

                                S. 3639

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

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Reclaiming the Nation's 
     Water Act''.

     SEC. 2. PURPOSE; DEFINITIONS.

       The Reclamation Wastewater and Groundwater Study and 
     Facilities Act (43 U.S.C. 390h et seq.) is amended--
       (1) by striking section 1603;
       (2) by redesignating section 1602 as section 1603; and
       (3) by inserting after section 1601 the following:

     ``SEC. 1602. PURPOSES; DEFINITIONS.

       ``(a) Purposes.--The purposes of this title are--
       ``(1) to assist in the development of permanent local and 
     regional water reclamation and reuse projects in--
       ``(A) the States and areas referred to in the first section 
     of the Act of June 17, 1902 (43 U.S.C. 391); and
       ``(B) the State of Hawaii; and
       ``(2) to further improvements in water reclamation and 
     reuse technologies through the conduct of--
       ``(A) research; and
       ``(B) demonstration activities in the States and areas 
     described in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (1).
       ``(b) Definitions.--In this title:
       ``(1) Financially capable project sponsor.--The term 
     `financially capable project sponsor' means a non-Federal 
     project sponsor that is capable of providing--
       ``(A) the non-Federal share of the project costs; and
       ``(B) 100 percent of the operations and maintenance costs 
     of the project.
       ``(2) Non-federal project sponsor.--The term `non-Federal 
     project sponsor' means a State, regional, or local authority 
     or other qualifying entity, such as a water conservation 
     district, water conservancy district, or rural water district 
     or association.
       ``(3) Federal reclamation laws.--The term `Federal 
     reclamation laws' means the Act of June 17, 1902 (32 Stat. 
     388, chapter 1093), and Acts supplemental to and amendatory 
     of that Act (43 U.S.C. 371 et seq.).
       ``(4) Reclaim; reclamation.--The terms `reclaim' and 
     `reclamation' include recycling and desalination.
       ``(5) Secretary.--The term `Secretary' means the Secretary 
     of the Interior.
       ``(6) Technically and financially viable project.--The term 
     `technically and financially viable project' means a project 
     that--
       ``(A) is a technically viable project; and
       ``(B) has a financially capable project sponsor.
       ``(7) Technically viable project.--The term `technically 
     viable project' means a project that--
       ``(A) meets generally acceptable engineering, public 
     health, and environmental standards; and
       ``(B) has obtained or is expected to obtain approval of all 
     Federal, State, and local permits necessary for 
     implementation of the project.''.

     SEC. 3. GENERAL AUTHORITY.

       Section 1603(a) of the Reclamation Wastewater and 
     Groundwater Study and Facilities Act (as redesignated by 
     section 2(2)), is amended--
       (1) by striking ``The Secretary of the Interior'' and all 
     that follows through ``is directed to'' and inserting ``The 
     Secretary, acting pursuant to Federal reclamation laws, 
     shall'';
       (2) by striking ``investigate and identify'' and inserting 
     ``participate in''; and
       (3) by striking ``to conduct research, including 
     desalting'' and inserting ``conduct research, including 
     desalination''.

     SEC. 4. REVIEW OF PROPOSALS SUBMITTED BY NON-FEDERAL PROJECT 
                   SPONSORS.

       The Reclamation Wastewater and Groundwater Study and 
     Facilities Act (43 U.S.C. 390h et seq.) is amended by 
     striking section 1604 and inserting the following:

     ``SEC. 1604. REVIEW OF PROPOSALS SUBMITTED BY NON-FEDERAL 
                   PROJECT SPONSORS.

       ``(a) Authority To Review.--The Secretary shall review any 
     project proposal under this title that is--
       ``(1) developed by a non-Federal project sponsor--
       ``(A) independently; or
       ``(B) with the assistance of the Department of the Interior 
     or any other governmental or nongovernmental entity; and
       ``(2) submitted or resubmitted to the Secretary by a non-
     Federal project sponsor, including a project proposal that 
     has been previously reviewed for feasibility by the 
     Secretary.
       ``(b) Requirements.--In addition to complying with any 
     requirements of other Federal laws, a project proposal 
     submitted by a non-Federal project sponsor under this section 
     shall--
       ``(1) provide sufficient evidence, as determined by the 
     Secretary, to demonstrate that the project--
       ``(A) is a technically viable project; and
       ``(B) has a financially capable project sponsor; and
       ``(2) provide information on each of the factors described 
     in subsection (d)(1)(B)(ii).
       ``(c) Determination of Financial and Technical Viability.--
       ``(1) In general.--Not later than 30 days after the date on 
     which a non-Federal project sponsor submits a project 
     proposal (including any supporting documentation) under 
     subsection (a)(2), the Secretary shall provide to the non-
     Federal project sponsor written notice on whether the project 
     proposal includes sufficient information under paragraph (2) 
     for the Secretary to determine whether the proposed project 
     is a technically and financially viable project.
       ``(2) Checklist.--A project proposal shall include 
     sufficient information for a determination under paragraph 
     (1) if the proposal includes--
       ``(A) a map of the proposed project area and service area;
       ``(B) a project description or plan, including engineering 
     plans;
       ``(C) the initial cost estimates for the project;
       ``(D) a financial plan for the project; and
       ``(E) a report on the status of any Federal, State, and 
     local permits that are necessary to implement the project.
       ``(3) Determination of insufficient information.--

[[Page S7419]]

       ``(A) In general.--If the Secretary determines that there 
     is insufficient information in the project proposal for the 
     Secretary to determine whether the project is a technically 
     and financially viable project--
       ``(i) the Secretary shall provide to the non-Federal 
     project sponsor written notice that identifies any 
     information that the Secretary determines to be necessary to 
     make the determination; and
       ``(ii) the non-Federal project entity may submit a revised 
     project proposal to the Secretary.
       ``(B) Notification.--Not later than 21 days after the date 
     on which a non-Federal project sponsor submits a revised 
     proposal to the Secretary under subparagraph (A)(ii), the 
     Secretary shall provide to the non-Federal project sponsor 
     written notice that describes whether sufficient information 
     has been provided to make a determination on whether the 
     project is a technically and financially viable project.
       ``(d) Notice to Congress.--
       ``(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date 
     on which the Secretary determines that a project proposal 
     includes sufficient information to make a determination on 
     whether the project is a technically and financially viable 
     project, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a written 
     notice of the findings of the Secretary that includes--
       ``(A) a statement and explanation of the determination on 
     whether the project is a technically and financially viable 
     project; and
       ``(B) a concise recommendation of the Secretary on whether 
     the project should be authorized for construction, that is 
     based on, but is not required to describe--
       ``(i) the results of the review of the project proposal 
     under subsection (a); and
       ``(ii) the consideration of the following factors:

       ``(I) The cost per acre-foot of water to be produced by the 
     project.
       ``(II) The quality and quantity of water to be produced by 
     the project.
       ``(III) The cost-effectiveness of the project compared with 
     other available alternatives, including whether other 
     comparatively cost-effective alternatives for meeting a 
     significant water supply need for the project exist.
       ``(IV) Any environmental benefits or adverse effects of the 
     project.
       ``(V) The extent to which the project would help serve an 
     identified Federal interest.
       ``(VI) The extent to which the project would provide 
     regional benefits.
       ``(VII) Whether the project demonstrates innovative or 
     alternative technologies or processes relating to water 
     treatment or waste minimization and management.

       ``(2) Availability.--To ensure that the determination and 
     recommendation submitted under paragraph (1) are made 
     publicly available, the Secretary shall--
       ``(A) transmit a copy of the written notice under paragraph 
     (1) to--
       ``(i) the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the 
     Senate; and
       ``(ii) the Committee on Resources of the House of 
     Representatives; and
       ``(B) publish in the Federal Register notice of the 
     availability of the written notice.
       ``(e) Revisions to Proposal.--
       ``(1) In general.--If the Secretary determines under 
     subsection (d)(1)(A) that a project is not a technically and 
     financially viable project, the Secretary shall not be 
     required to conduct further analysis of the project until the 
     non-Federal project sponsor--
       ``(A) conducts an additional investigation of the project; 
     and
       ``(B) resubmits a revised project proposal in accordance 
     with this section.
       ``(2) Costs.--The non-Federal project sponsor shall pay any 
     costs associated with revising the project proposal under 
     paragraph (1).
       ``(f) Congressional Determination and Authorization.--
       ``(1) Congressional determination.--Congress may make the 
     determination on whether to authorize a project under this 
     title if--
       ``(A) the Secretary submits the written notice under 
     subsection (d)(1);
       ``(B) by the date that is 60 days after the date on which a 
     non-Federal project sponsor submits a project proposal under 
     subsection (a)(2), the Secretary does not submit written 
     notice to the non-Federal project sponsor under subsection 
     (c)(1); or
       ``(C) by the date that is 180 days after the date on which 
     the Secretary determines that a project proposal includes 
     sufficient information to make a determination on whether the 
     project is a technically and financially viable project, the 
     Secretary does not submit the written notice under subsection 
     (d)(1).
       ``(2) Congressional authorization.--Nothing in this section 
     precludes Congress from authorizing a project under this 
     title.
       ``(g) Transition Provisions.--
       ``(1) In general.--A non-Federal project sponsor that has 
     submitted to the Secretary for review a feasibility study for 
     a project under this title before the date of enactment of 
     the Reclaiming the Nation's Water Act may--
       ``(A) submit a new project proposal for approval under 
     subsection (a); or
       ``(B) notify the Secretary in writing that the non-Federal 
     project sponsor elects to seek approval of the project using 
     the previously submitted feasibility study.
       ``(2) Supplemental information.--If the non-Federal project 
     sponsor makes the election under paragraph (1)(B), the non-
     Federal project sponsor may supplement the previously 
     submitted feasibility study to provide additional 
     information--
       ``(A) on whether the project is a technically and 
     financially viable project; and
       ``(B) to address each of the factors described in 
     subsection (d)(1)(B)(ii).
       ``(3) Determination of technical and financial viability.--
     Not later than 90 days after the date on which the Secretary 
     receives notice of an election under paragraph (1)(B), the 
     Secretary shall determine whether the project is a 
     technically and financially viable project.
       ``(4) Notice to congress.--Not later than 180 days after 
     the date on which the Secretary receives notice of an 
     election under paragraph (1)(B), the Secretary shall submit 
     to Congress written notice on the determination and 
     recommendation of the Secretary with respect to the proposal 
     in accordance with subsection (d).''.

     SEC. 5. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       Section 1631 of the Reclamation Wastewater and Groundwater 
     Study and Facilities Act (43 U.S.C. 390h-13) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (b)(1)--
       (A) by striking ``may not be appropriated'' and inserting 
     ``may not be expended by the Secretary''; and
       (B) by striking subparagraphs (A) and (B) and inserting the 
     following:
       ``(A) Congress has authorized the construction of the 
     project;
       ``(B) the Secretary has determined that the project has a 
     financially capable project sponsor; and'';
       (2) in subsection (c), by striking ``the non-Federal 
     project sponsor'' and all that follows through ``project's 
     costs'' and inserting ``the project has a financially capable 
     project sponsor''; and
       (3) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(e) Limitation on New Projects.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Federal share of the total costs of 
     any project authorized under this title after the date of 
     enactment of the Reclaiming the Nation's Water Act shall be 
     not more than 20 percent.
       ``(2) Operation and maintenance costs.--No Federal funds 
     shall be used to pay the costs of operating and maintaining 
     any project authorized under this title after the date of 
     enactment of the Reclaiming the Nation's Water Act.
       ``(f) Deauthorization.--Any project authorized under this 
     title that has not received Federal funding by the date that 
     is the later of the date that is 10 years after the date of 
     enactment of the Reclaiming the Nation's Water Act or 10 
     years after the date on which construction of the project is 
     authorized shall be deauthorized.''.

     SEC. 6. REUSE PLANNING ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

       The Reclamation Wastewater and Groundwater Study and 
     Facilities Act (43 U.S.C. 390h et seq.) is amended by adding 
     at the end the following:

     ``SEC. 1639. REUSE PLANNING ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

       ``(a) In General.--The Secretary may cooperate with any 
     non-Federal project sponsor in the preparation of any plan 
     (including a project proposal) for the development of 
     reclaimed water for reuse applications or environmental 
     benefits that are in the public interest, as determined by 
     the Secretary.
       ``(b) Agreement.--
       ``(1) In general.--At the request of a non-Federal project 
     sponsor, the Secretary may enter into an agreement with the 
     non-Federal project sponsor to provide for the preparation of 
     a project proposal for review under section 1604(a).
       ``(2) Requirements.--Any project proposal prepared under an 
     agreement entered into under paragraph (1) shall comply with 
     the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 
     et seq.), including any regulations promulgated to carry out 
     that Act.
       ``(3) Consultation.--The Secretary shall consult and 
     cooperate with appropriate Federal, State, regional, and 
     local entities during the development of each project 
     proposal prepared under an agreement entered into under 
     paragraph (1).
       ``(c) Authorization of Appropriations.--
       ``(1) In general.--There is authorized to be appropriated 
     to carry out this section not more than $4,400,000 for fiscal 
     year 2007 and each fiscal year thereafter, of which--
       ``(A) not more than $500,000 shall be expended in any 1 
     fiscal year for a plan for any 1 project; and
       ``(B) not more than a total of $1,000,000 shall be made 
     available to a non-Federal project sponsor to prepare a plan 
     for any 1 project.
       ``(2) Federal share.--The Federal share of the total costs 
     of any plan for a project prepared under an agreement entered 
     into under subsection (b)(1) shall be not more than 50 
     percent.''.

     SEC. 7. TECHNICAL AND CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.

       (a) Technical Amendments.--The Reclamation Wastewater and 
     Groundwater Study and Facilities Act (43 U.S.C. 390h et seq.) 
     is amended--
       (1) in section 1612(a) (43 U.S.C. 390h-10(a)), by striking 
     ``California or'' and inserting ``California, or''; and
       (2) in section 1632(a) (43 U.S.C. 390h-14(a))--
       (A) by striking ``Secretary of the Interior'' and inserting 
     ``Secretary''; and
       (B) in paragraph (2), by striking the comma and inserting a 
     semicolon.
       (b) Conforming Amendments.--The table of sections in 
     section 2 of the Reclamation Projects Authorization and 
     Adjustment Act of 1992 (43 U.S.C. prec. 371) is amended--

[[Page S7420]]

       (1) by striking the items relating to sections 1602 through 
     1604 and inserting the following:

``Sec. 1602. Purposes; Definitions.
``Sec. 1603. General authority.
``Sec. 1604. Review of proposals submitted by non-Federal project 
              sponsors.'';

     and
       (2) by inserting after the item relating to section 1638 
     the following:

``Sec. 1639. Reuse planning assistance program.''.

  Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Mr. President. I rise today to join my distinguished 
colleague, Senator Murkowski, chair of the Subcommittee on Water and 
Power, Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, in introducing 
legislation to provide new authority and streamlined review criteria 
for the Bureau of Reclamation's title XVI Water Recycling Program.
  I first want to thank Senator Murkowski for her leadership in this 
area. I deeply appreciate her willingness to work with me on this 
issue.
  I also want to thank my California colleague and friend, 
Representative Grace Napolitano, ranking member on the Water and Power 
Subcommittee, who is introducing identical companion legislation in the 
House of Representatives today.
  This legislation is an outgrowth of subcommittee oversight hearings 
last February and is the product of more than 2 years of discussion, 
evaluation, and consultation with the Bureau of Reclamation as well as 
numerous water agencies and communities.
  Today, the West faces two daunting challenges simultaneously. The 
first is drought and the impacts of continued climate gyration--wild 
swings in previously established weather patterns. The second is the 
unprecedented growth throughout California and the Western States. 
Population continues to not just grow but surge throughout this region.
  The title XVI, Water Recycling Program enables water users in the 
West to stretch existing supplies through the application of 
reclamation, reuse, recycling and desalination technologies.
  Title XVI was initially authorized in 1992, following a severe 
multiyear drought in California and other Western States. A drought of 
equal severity reduced the mighty Colorado River to record lows only a 
few years ago. We must find ways to expand our water supplies, and do 
so without generating regional or environmental conflict. Reusing our 
existing supplies and stretching those supplies is a significant part 
of the solution. The title XVI program provides the authority and 
framework to accomplish these water resource development objectives to 
meet the needs of our cities and urban areas, our farms and ranches and 
our diverse environment.
  This legislation clarifies and makes permanent the U.S. Department of 
the Interior and Bureau of Reclamation's title XVI water reuse/
reclamation/recycling grant authority for the development of new 
sources of water. In so doing, this proposed legislation will help 
State and local governments and water departments and agencies develop 
new water and reliable water supplies.
  The bill amends the Reclamation and Wastewater and Groundwater Study 
and Facilities Act, 1992, to provide new standards and procedures for 
the review of water reclamation and reuse projects by the Interior 
Department's Bureau of Reclamation. Additionally, the legislation sets 
forth specific criteria to assist Congress in the evaluation and 
selection of projects for Federal funding.
  In the recent past, the Bureau of Reclamation was not able to review 
and report on proposed projects in a timely fashion. This legislation 
establishes firm deadlines, a clear process, and very specific criteria 
by which project reviews are to be conducted.
  This program, unlike traditional Bureau of Reclamation project 
funding, provides a grant, not to exceed 20 percent of the capital 
costs or $20 million making this the most leveraged and most cost-
shared Federal water resources program. In setting the 20 percent cap, 
this legislation reduces the overall percentage Federal participation 
to 20 percent from the 1992 standard of 25 percent to enable more 
projects to receive Federal cost-share support.
  Reclaiming the Nation's Water Act is designed to accomplish one major 
objective--development of new water supplies responsibly--and in a 
timely manner. From a California perspective, this legislation 
compliments and is fully consistent with the recently published 
California Water Plan Update 2005--published in 2006--by California 
Department of Water Resources and the 2002 State of California's Water 
Recycling Task Force, Water Recycling 2030. Both reports conclude that 
a significant portion of new water to be developed in California will 
come from water recycling.
  Throughout the Nation's more than 200-year history, water conflicts 
in the West have ``erupted'' periodically. This program is designed to 
reduce conflict through sound planning, improved management, expanding 
existing supplies, leveraged financing and meaningful partnerships.
  The Subcommittee on Water and Power will hold a hearing on this 
proposed legislation later this month. At that time, the subcommittee 
will also hear testimony on three proposed projects, one each in 
Riverside, Orange and San Bernardino Counties. I have carefully 
reviewed these projects. They are designed to produce approximately 
300,000 acre-feet of new water annually. These projects simultaneously 
reduce pressure on the Bay Delta--and other Federal and State water 
users dependent on the water from the delta--as well as the Colorado 
River. They will help drought-proof their water service areas.
  Not too long ago, in a speech delivered at a WateReuse Association 
conference, John Keys, the recently retired Commissioner, Bureau of 
Reclamation, called recycled water The Last River to Tap. Commissioner 
Keys was right.
  I would like to provide some additional detail on the legislation. 
The legislation provides new authority for the Secretary of the 
Interior to review non-Federal water reclamation and reuse project 
proposals, pursuant to new standards and procedures for such review.
  New standards would include providing sufficient evidence to the 
Secretary of Interior that the project: (1) is technically viable and 
(2) has a financially capable project sponsor. The Secretary would have 
180 days to submit to Congress: (1) a statement and explanation of the 
project's technical and financial viability, and (2) a recommendation 
on whether the project should be authorized for construction based on 
several specific factors. Factors to be considered would range from 
items related to project costs and benefits, to whether the project 
would help serve an identified Federal interest. The bill also includes 
transition procedures.
  This program is vital to the West's future. I look forward to working 
with Senator Murkowski and my colleagues on the Energy Committee. I 
want to also thank Energy Committee Chairman Pete Domenici and the 
committee's ranking member, Senator Jeff Bingaman for their support and 
assistance in the preparation of this legislation.
                                 ______