Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to discuss a bill that I believe has been given far too little attention by the Congress, especially considering the potential precedent that it may set. H.R. 4451, the Collinsville Renewable Energy Promotion Act allows the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to transfer the permit for a hydro-electric power plant once held by a private company into the hands of a public municipality. This bill went through the Energy & Commerce Committee, although I could hardly say it received regular order consideration. When this legislation was first presented to us at the subcommittee level, Members were told it was a non-controversial bill, and that all the interested parties agreed with the actions being taken. Members of the Energy & Commerce Committee subsequently learned otherwise when the company involved, Summit Hydro, LLC, told my office that not only were they opposed to the transfer of these permits, but that they were not even told our Committee was considering the legislation. I find it outrageous that this Congress would move ahead with transferring a privately-held permit to a public entity without so much as a legislative hearing. Despite my objections at the Committee level, voicing concerns that no hearing had been held, the Majority pushed this legislation forward.…”