[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 3]
[House]
[Page 3120]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




EXTENDING DEADLINE FOR CONSTRUCTION OF HYDROELECTRIC PROJECT INVOLVING 
                               GIBSON DAM

  Mr. WHITFIELD. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 2081) to extend the deadline for commencement of 
construction of a hydroelectric project involving the Gibson Dam.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 2081

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

     SECTION 1. EXTENSION OF TIME FOR FEDERAL ENERGY REGULATORY 
                   COMMISSION PROJECT INVOLVING GIBSON DAM.

       (a) In General.--Notwithstanding the requirements of 
     section 13 of the Federal Power Act (16 U.S.C. 806) that 
     would otherwise apply to the Federal Energy Regulatory 
     Commission project numbered 12478-003, the Federal Energy 
     Regulatory Commission (referred to in this section as the 
     ``Commission'') may, at the request of the licensee for the 
     project, and after reasonable notice and in accordance with 
     the procedures of the Commission under that section, extend 
     the time period during which the licensee is required to 
     commence construction of the project for a 6-year period that 
     begins on the date described in subsection (b).
       (b) Date Described.--The date described in this subsection 
     is the date of the expiration of the extension of the period 
     required for commencement of construction for the project 
     described in subsection (a) that was issued by the Commission 
     prior to the date of enactment of this Act under section 13 
     of the Federal Power Act (16 U.S.C. 806).

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Kentucky (Mr. Whitfield) and the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. 
Kennedy) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Kentucky.


                             General Leave

  Mr. WHITFIELD. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks 
and insert extraneous materials in the Record on the bill.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Kentucky?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. WHITFIELD. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from 
Montana (Mr. Zinke), the author of this legislation.
  Mr. ZINKE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in firm support of H.R. 2081, which 
reinstates and extends the deadline for construction of the Gibson Dam 
hydroelectric project.
  Similar to the project before, the Gibson Dam--this is situated in 
Augusta, Montana--is a partnership between the Greenfields Irrigation 
District of Fairfield, Montana, and Tollhouse Energy of Bellingham, 
Washington.
  The project was officially licensed by FERC in 2014, and a 2-year 
extension was also granted that year. Unfortunately, delays once again 
in paperwork and redtape require that Congress act to extend the 
deadline.
  I am fairly confident that my colleagues on the other side will also 
support this bill, being that the same issue before us is dams provide 
a clean source of power.
  The project has been reviewed multiple times, and it is in the best 
interests of Montana and our country. The dam itself is important not 
only to Montana and local farming communities, but it also protects 
pivotal wildlife in areas around it.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 2081.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. KENNEDY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, this legislation was reported unanimously out by the 
Committee on Energy and Commerce. I know of no objections to the bill. 
I commend Mr. Zinke for his work on bringing it to the floor.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. WHITFIELD. Mr. Speaker, I urge passage of this legislation.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Whitfield) that the House suspend the 
rules and pass the bill, H.R. 2081.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. WHITFIELD. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further 
proceedings on this motion will be postponed.

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