To extend a project of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission involving the Cannonsville Dam.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express support for my legislation, H.R. 2292, which would extend the construction period for the hydroelectric project at New York City's Cannonsville Dam in Delaware County, New York.

Once completed, the Cannonsville hydroelectric project will generate over 42,000 megawatt hours of electricity each year, enough to avoid the emission of 24,000 tons of greenhouse gases. But, unfortunately, the project is in jeopardy due to this time lag.

Current Federal Energy Regulation Commission regulations allow a licensee 2 years to begin construction of a hydroelectric project once the license has been issued. The FERC may extend the deadline for an additional 2 years, but this may only be done once.

If construction has not begun on the project by the expiration of the second extension, the Commission will terminate the license, risking all of the hard work and planning that had been put into the project development.

I introduced this legislation to further extend the deadline for construction at the Cannonsville site, because the second FERC-granted extension will expire shortly, and construction has not yet begun.

By allowing for additional time for commencement of construction, we can help protect downstream communities and ensure the safe development of a clean and renewable energy project on this New York City-owned facility.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank Mr. Upton, the chairman of the subcommittee, and Ms. DeGette, the ranking member of the subcommittee, and also thank the sponsors from New York State on this bipartisan legislation, including Mr. Espaillat, Ms. Meng, Mr. Nadler, Ms. Clarke, Mr. Engel, Mr. Tonko, Mr. Donovan, Mr. Collins, and Mrs. Maloney.

By bringing together the stakeholders from across the Empire State, we have ensured that a variety of constituent concerns have been met in the development of this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 2292 so that we can further protect public water supplies for New York City and help strengthen and modernize our Nation's energy infrastructure.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2292) to extend a project of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission involving the Cannonsville Dam.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to include any extraneous material in the Record on the bill.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

This bill, H.R. 2292, was introduced by Mr. Faso from New York, and the bill authorizes the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, FERC, upon request, to extend by 8 years the time period during which construction must commence on the Cannonsville hydroelectric project-- which is located on the west branch of the Delaware River in the Catskill Mountains of upstate New York.

The city of New York was granted a construction license for the Cannonsville hydroelectric project on May 13, 2014. Additionally, FERC may reinstate the construction license if it is expired. The bill was reported by unanimous consent from the Energy and Commerce Committee, and I support its passage on the floor today.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield as much time as he may consume to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Faso).

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote for the bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2292, a bill to extend the deadline for commencement and construction of a hydroelectric project involving the Cannonsville Dam.

On May 13, 2014, FERC licensed construction of a hydroelectric facility at the Cannonsville Reservoir located on the west branch of the Delaware River in Delaware County, New York. The licensee for this project was not able to commence construction by the deadline of May 2016.

The additional reviews and repairs to the dam, which are necessary to begin construction of the hydroelectric project, will delay construction commencement beyond the expiration date of the original license and the 2-year extension which FERC is authorized to grant.

The bill would, therefore, authorize FERC to extend up to 8 years the date by which the licensee is required to commence construction.

Similar legislation passed the House during the 114th Congress by a vote of 417-2. I urge my colleagues to support the bill.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of the following bills en bloc: Calendar No. 100, S. 724, with a floor amendment; Calendar No. 306, H.R. 219; Calendar No. 159, H.R. 220; Calendar No. 96, S. 215; Calendar No. 130, S. 490; Calendar No. 139, H.R. 2292; Calendar No. 144, H.R. 951; Calendar No. 136, H.R. 446; Calendar No. 137, H.R. 447; and Calendar No. 138, H.R. 2122.

I further ask unanimous consent that applicable committee or floor amendments be agreed to, the bills, as amended, if amended, be considered read a third time and passed, and the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table, all en bloc.

Mr. Speaker, I was absent during Roll Call votes No. 300, and No. 301 due to my spouse's health situation in California. Had I been present, I would have voted Yea on H.R. 2292--To extend a project of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission involving the Cannonsville Dam. I would have also voted Yea on H.R. 2457--J. Bennett Johnston Waterway Hydropower Extension Act of 2017.