[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 32 (Tuesday, February 24, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E335]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  INFRASTRUCTURE ENHANCEMENT PROJECTS

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                           HON. BILL SHUSTER

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 24, 2009

  Mr. SHUSTER. Madam Speaker, I submit for the Record a letter to the 
Honorable Nancy Pelosi, the Honorable John Olver, and the Honorable 
Dave Obey from myself and Chairwoman Corrine Brown regarding 
infrastructure enhancement projects included in the economic stimulus 
bill and the potential impact on existing utility infrastructure.

                                               Washington, DC,

                                                February 12, 2009.
     Hon. Nancy Pelosi,
     Office of the Speaker, H-232, U.S. Capitol, Washington, DC.
     Hon. John Olver,
     Chairman, Trans-HUD Subcommittee, Room 2358-A, Rayburn HOB, 
         Washington, DC.
     Hon. Dave Obey,
     Chairman, House Appropriations Committee, H-218, U.S. 
         Capitol, Washington, DC.
       Dear Colleagues:  As the Chairwoman and Ranking Member of 
     the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Railroads, 
     Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials Subcommittee, we wanted to 
     take this opportunity to bring to your attention a serious 
     issue impacting utility infrastructure and ratepayers.
       The economic stimulus bill that we are debating directs 
     billion of dollars toward infrastructure enhancement 
     projects--with a significant portion allocated for highway 
     construction. As is common with highway projects, their 
     construction may require the relocation of existing utility 
     infrastructure located within the existing public right-of-
     way or adjacent to the right-of-way, including natural gas 
     distribution pipelines and power lines (both overhead and 
     underground). With the substantial increase in federal 
     funding provided by the stimulus package to states, counties 
     and cities for highway projects, it is our understanding that 
     utilities want to make sure that their customers are not 
     asked to absorb major new and unforeseen costs.
       As you may know, the current blueprint for how natural gas 
     and electric utilities are reimbursed for these relocation 
     costs is not uniform. Some states have laws or policies that 
     allow for federal highway funds to be used to cover all or a 
     portion of the costs of relocation. However, in many states, 
     utilities are not reimbursed and these costs are ultimately 
     borne by utility ratepayers. These increased costs to 
     ratepayers could potentially negatively impact the goals of 
     the stimulus package by creating a de facto ``economic 
     stimulus bill'' surcharge in their future rates.
        Additionally, pipeline and power line relocation 
     associated with highway construction are often hampered by a 
     lack of coordination and communication between the highway 
     authorities and utilities. This can result in project delays 
     and interruption of utility service. With the large number of 
     projects that will be funded by the stimulus, there is a need 
     for an effective consultative process under which utility 
     companies and highway project mangers would discuss and can 
     reach agreement on construction scheduling. Such a process 
     would allow all parties to discuss the timing of construction 
     and relocation and secure the availability of labor and 
     material so that the projects funded by the stimulus bill can 
     advance expeditiously.
        Let's make these taxpayer dollars work effectively by 
     ensuring that highway infrastructure projects not only 
     proceed in a coordinated and efficient manner but also allow 
     utilities to be fairly reimbursed.
       We appreciate your attention to this important matter and 
     look forward to working with you to advance the economy of 
     our country while protecting the interests of taxpayers and 
     utility rate payers.
           Sincerely,
     Bill Shuster,
       Member of Congress.
     Corrine Brown,
       Member of Congress.

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