[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 191 (Thursday, December 13, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Page S15456]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  FEDERAL ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION

  Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Mr. President, the Federal Energy Regulatory 
Commission, FERC, is currently considering the renewal of the 
California Department of Water Resources, DWR, license for the Oroville 
Facilities hydroelectric project in Butte County, CA.
  DWR is exempt from paying State, local, or a Federal tax associated 
with the Oroville Project and has not compensated Butte County for the 
services it provides for the project and its visitors. Butte County 
believes the relicensing is an opportunity to mitigate the county's 
revenue losses, which are estimated at nearly $6.9 million per year.
  FERC's Final Environmental Impact Statement also acknowledges that 
the Oroville Project has a negative fiscal impact on Butte County.
  I have sent a letter to FERC asking that they consider efforts to 
mitigate Butte County's revenue loss and treat all parties equitably 
during the Oroville Project relicensing proceedings, and I ask 
unanimous consent to have text of this letter printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:


                                                  U.S. Senate,

                                Washington, DC, December 13, 2007.
     Chairman Joseph T. Kelliher,
     Commissioner Suedeen G. Kelly,
     Commissioner Philip Moeller,
     Commissioner Marc Spitzer,
     Commissioner John Wellinghoff,
     Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC.
       Dear Chairman Kelliher and Commissioners: I am writing in 
     regards to the relicensing proceedings for the Oroville 
     Facilities hydroelectric project (Project P-2100) currently 
     before the Commission. As you know, Butte County is required 
     to provide services associated with the Oroville Facilities 
     Project and its visitors, including law enforcement, fire and 
     rescue, and road maintenance services.
       The Commission's Final Environmental Impact Statement 
     acknowledges the negative net fiscal impact the Oroville 
     Facilities Project may impose on Butte County. As you prepare 
     your final decision regarding the relicensing, I encourage 
     you to consider efforts to mitigate the County's revenue 
     loss. I am hopeful that all parties involved with the 
     relicensing of the Oroville Facilities will be regarded 
     equitably. Thank you for your attention to this matter.
           Sincerely,
                                                 Dianne Feinstein,
     U.S. Senator.

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