To extend the deadline for commencement of construction of a hydroelectric project.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 446) to extend the deadline for commencement of construction of a hydroelectric project.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 446.

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

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 446 authorizes the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, FERC, upon request, to extend by 6 years the time period during which construction must commence on the Gathright Hydroelectric Project located in Alleghany County, Virginia. Additionally, FERC may reinstate the construction license if it is expired.

A similar bill was passed under suspension of the rules in the 114th Congress in a bipartisan way, and I would hope that we can do it today.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Griffith), a member of the Energy and Commerce Committee.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 446, a bill to extend the deadline for commencement of construction of a hydroelectric project, introduced by Mr. Griffith.

On March 13, 2012, FERC licensed the Gathright Hydroelectric Project to be located at the Army Corps of Engineers' Gathright Dam on the Jackson River in Alleghany County, Virginia. The licensee for the Gathright project was not able to commence construction by the already- extended deadline in March 2016.

The bill would, therefore, authorize FERC to extend for up to three consecutive 2-year periods the date by which the licensee is required to commence construction. Similar legislation passed the House of Representatives by voice vote twice during the last Congress.

I hope everybody will support passage of H.R. 446. I hope we can get this thing built.

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

Mr. Speaker, I urge a ``yes'' vote, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 446, which would extend the construction commencement deadline for a hydroelectric project at the Gathright Dam in Alleghany County.

Extensive coordination between the hydroelectric project developer and the Army Corps and the current difficulties in obtaining a power purchase agreement have necessitated this construction's start-date extension.

This legislation has passed the House previously unanimously and was included in last Congress's House comprehensive energy bill. It is my hope that this legislation will once again receive overwhelming support in this Chamber. I appreciate the support of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle.

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.