Joe Barton: “H.R. 459 extends the construction period for a hydroelectric project in the State of New Jersey. Under section 13 of the…”

“H.R. 459 extends the construction period for a hydroelectric project in the State of New Jersey. Under section 13 of the Federal Power Act, project construction must begin within 4 years of issuance of the license. If construction is not begun by that time, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission cannot extend the deadline and must terminate the license. H.R. 459 grants the project developer until August 3, 2002, to commence construction if it pursues the commencement of construction in good faith and with due diligence. These types of bills have not been controversial in the past. The bill does not change the license requirement in any way. It does not change environmental standards but merely extends the construction deadline. There is a need to act, Mr. Speaker, since the construction deadline for the Mt. Hope Pumped Storage Project expires in August of this year. If Congress does not act, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission will terminate the license, the project sponsor will lose $28 million that they have already invested in the project, and the local community will lose the prospect of significant job creation and added revenues. Construction of the Mt. Hope project will create 1,300 jobs during construction and generate $254 million for the local economy. If the Congress does not act, the local community will lose these jobs and these revenues.”