Dusty Johnson: “on April 24, 2001, I voted to report S. 206, legislation which would repeal the Public Utility Holding Company Act, out…”

“on April 24, 2001, I voted to report S. 206, legislation which would repeal the Public Utility Holding Company Act, out of the Senate Banking Committee. I did so with strong reservations. I have been one of the strongest supporters of public power during my service in Congress. Public power has been extremely beneficial for my State. Without the initiative and determination of the municipal utilities and the rural cooperatives in the early part of this century, South Dakota and the neighboring states would not have received electricity as soon as they did. Since then, these entities have provided South Dakota with reliable electricity and energy services. In addition, I have had a long record of support for public power. This includes authoring an amendment during committee consideration in the House of Representatives that helped stop the sale of the public power administrations that House Republicans attempted to sell in 1995. Moreover, I have worked closely with the rural electric coops, municipal owned utilities and rural telephone coops on a number of issues. Recently, I was graciously given an award from the South Dakota Rural Electric Cooperatives and the Congressional Leadership Award from the National Telephone Cooperative Association in recognition of the work we have done together. I have concerns about S. 206 and am not committed to voting for it on the floor.”