Ralph Hall: “I suggest that H.R. 2217 would simply extend the deadline for the commencement of construction for a 4.6 megawatt…”

“I suggest that H.R. 2217 would simply extend the deadline for the commencement of construction for a 4.6 megawatt hydroelectric project in San Miguel County, Colorado, until January 30 of the year 2002. This would extend the deadline to 10 years after the date the license was issued. According to the bill's sponsor, construction had not commenced because of delays in obtaining a special use permit from the U.S. Forest Service, and an U.S. Army Corps of Engineers dredge and fill permit, and because it lacks a power purchase agreement. This legislation simply provides that the licensee must meet the Federal Power Act Section 13 requirement that it prosecute construction 'in good faith and with due diligence.' The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has indicated in a letter to the Subcommittee on Energy and Power that it has no objection to the enactment of this legislation. This legislation is not controversial. I urge my colleagues to support it.”