[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 192 (Monday, December 12, 2022)]
[House]
[Pages H9683-H9684]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          VALLEY FORGE PARK REALIGNMENT PERMIT AND PROMISE ACT

  Mr. GRIJALVA. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 7952) ``to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to issue 
a right-of-way permit with respect to a natural gas distribution 
pipeline within Valley Forge National Historical Park, and for other 
purposes'', as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 7952

       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 ``Valley Forge Park 
     Realignment Permit and Promise Act''.

     SEC. 2. RIGHT-OF-WAY PERMIT FOR NATURAL GAS DISTRIBUTION MAIN 
                   SEGMENT AT VALLEY FORGE NHP.

       (a) In General.--Notwithstanding any other provision of 
     law, the Secretary may issue a right-of-way permit pursuant 
     to part 14 of title 36, Code of Federal Regulations (as in 
     effect on the date of the enactment of this Act), for the 
     covered main segment if the covered main segment is relocated 
     to a proposed realignment of Valley Forge Park Road and North 
     Gulph Road within the Park.
       (b) Scope of Authority.--The authority to grant a right-of-
     way permit under subsection (a) shall apply only to the 
     covered main segment and shall not apply to any other part of 
     the natural gas distribution main system or any other 
     pipeline system within the Park.
       (c) Definitions.--In this section:
       (1) Covered main segment.--The term ``covered main 
     segment'' means the portions of the natural gas distribution 
     main (including all appurtenances used in the operation of 
     such main) within the Park--
       (A) existing on the date of the enactment of this Act; and
       (B) that are located under, along, or adjacent to the 
     segments of North Gulph Road and Valley Forge Park Road 
     (SR3039 and SR0023 respectively, as those roads were aligned 
     on January 21, 2022) that are between--
       (i) the intersection of North Gulph Road with Richards 
     Road; and
       (ii) a point on Valley Forge Park Road located 500 feet 
     northwest of its intersection with County Line Road.
       (2) Park.--The term ``Park'' means Valley Forge National 
     Historical Park.
       (3) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
     of the Interior.

     SEC. 3. DETERMINATION OF BUDGETARY EFFECTS.

       The budgetary effects of this Act, for the purpose of 
     complying with the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010, shall 
     be determined by reference to the latest statement titled 
     ``Budgetary Effects of PAYGO Legislation'' for this Act, 
     submitted for printing in the Congressional Record by the 
     Chairman of the House Budget Committee, provided that such 
     statement has been submitted prior to the vote on passage.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Arizona (Mr. Grijalva) and the gentleman from California (Mr. 
Obernolte) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Arizona.


                             General Leave

  Mr. GRIJALVA. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks 
and include extraneous material on the measure under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Arizona?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. GRIJALVA. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 7952, introduced by my 
colleague Representative Madeleine Dean. As part of a broader effort to 
develop and enhance the area around Valley Forge National Historical 
Park, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation is working to 
realign and repave a road that runs through the park's entrance.
  This bill will allow the movement of a natural gas pipeline segment 
from its current position at the entrance of the park to a new roadbed 
being constructed east of the current road.
  If the pipeline is not permitted to move, the project could be 
further delayed costing time and resources. Moving the pipeline will 
also allow for the creation of a new trail connection, which will 
better allow people to reach and enjoy Valley Forge.
  I thank my colleague Representative Dean for introducing this 
legislation on behalf of her constituents.
  Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on the bill, and 
I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. OBERNOLTE. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 7952. This is a bipartisan 
bill that authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to issue a right-of-
way permit to relocate a natural gas distribution pipeline segment in 
the Valley Forge Historical National Park located in Pennsylvania.
  This bill is necessary to allow the Pennsylvania Department of 
Transportation to realign a road at the park's entrance to a new 
location within the park boundary, which will require moving the 
utilities in the existing roadbed to the new roadbed. This project is 
part of a larger effort by PennDOT to improve the area surrounding the 
park.
  The Valley Forge Historical Park is the iconic location of the famous 
Revolutionary War encampment and contains numerous significant cultural 
and natural resources, including 40 historic monuments and memorials, 
as well as several diverse habitats.
  This bill's authorization of a responsible relocation of an integral 
natural gas pipeline demonstrates the important truth that we can 
effectively balance the energy needs of local communities with our 
equally important goal of conserving our treasured Federal lands for 
future generations.
  Madam Speaker, I support this bill because it recognizes the 
necessity of energy infrastructure like natural gas pipelines, and the 
important role that they serve for communities to meet their needs for 
dependable, affordable energy.
  It is very encouraging to me to see this bill brought to the House 
floor today, and it is my hope that my friends on the other side of the 
aisle will support additional legislation to facilitate the timely 
siting and approval of a pipeline infrastructure consistent with this 
bill which has been championed by my Democratic colleagues.

[[Page H9684]]

  H.R. 7952 offers hope going forward that we can pursue additional 
commonsense solutions to address the significant energy challenges 
facing our Nation.
  We remain committed to this important work, and I encourage all of my 
colleagues to join us in this effort.
  Madam Speaker, I urge adoption of this bill, and I reserve the 
balance of my time.
  Mr. GRIJALVA. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to 
the gentlewoman from Pennsylvania (Ms. Dean).
  Ms. DEAN. Madam Speaker, I thank the chairman for the bipartisan 
support.
  Madam Speaker, I rise in support of my bill, H.R. 7952, Valley Forge 
Park Realignment Permit and Promise Act.
  Valley Forge National Historical Park is an important, 
extraordinarily historical landmark and natural space spanning 3,500 
acres of Chester and Montgomery counties; my home.
  As the site of the 1777 and 1778 winter encampment of General George 
Washington and the Continental Army, Valley Forge is a living monument 
to our national story, where former Prussian officer Baron van Steuben 
trained the Continental Army, transforming them into a more cohesive, 
unified, and modern fighting force.
  It is a symbol of our Nation's resilience and revolutionary spirit.
  As part of a broader effort to develop and enhance the area around 
Valley Forge National Historical Park, the Pennsylvania Department of 
Transportation is working to reassign and repave a road that runs 
through the Park's entrance. And part of the project involves moving 
the current utilities under the current roadbed to the new roadbed.
  Unfortunately, while the park can permit the movement of other 
utilities, like electric and broadband, they are barred by statute from 
permitting the movement of the segment of natural gas pipeline also 
under the current roadbed. Without Federal intervention, the project 
could be further delayed, costing the American people time and 
resources.
  That is why this bill is in front of you today. It will allow the 
Secretary of the Interior to permit the movement of a small piece of 
approximately 2,400 feet or a half a mile of natural gas pipeline to a 
new roadbed. Importantly, the bill does not allow for 
expansion, upgrades, or improvements to the pipeline. It is simply 
allowing the movement to better facilitate the current construction.

  In addition to the straightforward benefits of moving the pipeline 
segment to ensure it remains with all the other utilities, the move 
will also allow for the creation of a trail connection. This will 
better allow people to reach and enjoy this historic park, America's 
park, further developing the area as a landmark of our past and a place 
of recreation and community today.
  This bipartisan bill, which I introduced with Congresswoman Chrissy 
Houlahan and Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick, and Senators Casey and 
Toomey introducing the same companion bill on the Senate side, it is a 
straightforward fix to a technical but important issue facing Valley 
Forge National Historical Park.
  Simply, it is commonsense legislation.
  Madam Speaker, I thank the chairman and the ranking member for their 
support of this bill and for moving it swiftly through the Natural 
Resources Committee and to the House floor.
  I also thank my fellow Congress Members from the delegation: 
Houlahan, Fitzpatrick, Senators Casey and Toomey for being strong 
allies and supporters and co-leads for America's park.
  Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill.
  Mr. OBERNOLTE. Madam Speaker, I urge adoption of this commonsense, 
bipartisan legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. GRIJALVA. Madam Speaker, I urge adoption of the legislation. And 
as Representative Dean said, I thank the sponsors of the legislation. 
One small thing that only Congress can do in this particular instance 
affects not only the utilization of this park but makes the situation 
safer for everyone involved and less expensive, and I thank her for her 
foresight.
  Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Grijalva) that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the bill, H.R. 7952, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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