Collinsville Renewable Energy Production Act

Floor Speech

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Ms. ESTY. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my good friend and colleague from Maryland, Congressman Sarbanes, as well as the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Kinzinger), for their roles in bringing this bill to the floor today.

Mr. Speaker, I rise as a proud sponsor of the Collinsville Renewable Energy Production Act.

This bill provides, as has been noted, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, commonly known as FERC, the authority to reinstate, extend, and transfer the licenses of two dams in my district to the town of Canton in order to redevelop hydropower at these two facilities that have been dormant since 1966.

The upper and lower Collinsville dams on the Farmington River were first built in the 18th and 19th centuries to power an ax manufacturer. Although this business closed in the 1960s, the dams have remained and are a lasting symbol of the manufacturing history of the Farmington Valley.

Today's legislation provides Canton the opportunity to create local clean energy and to stimulate local economic development along the scenic Farmington River.

As provided in the Senate's amendment to H.R. 316, Canton would need to file an application for approval with FERC that describes the town's qualifications to hold these licenses and to operate the dams.

It would require the town to be subject to the same conditions as in the original licenses, as well as any additional terms that FERC may deem necessary after reviewing the application.

I am aware that there are legitimate environmental concerns about the impact on the river and the surrounding ecosystem's health. These concerns are reflected in part with the addition of fish ladders to the hydrodams in the ensuing years since the closing of the facility.

To address those concerns, FERC would need to update the environmental impact statement provided for in the original licenses before they could be reinstated, extended, and transferred to the town.

If the Commission, under the authority provided in this bill, approves the application to reinstate these permits, the upper and lower Collinsville dams would provide nearly 2 megawatts of power. That is enough to power more than 1,500 homes.

It is important for me to acknowledge that the passage of this bill today is only possible because of the work and support of many others who have labored over this for many years.

First, I want to thank Senator Chris Murphy--my colleague, friend, and neighbor--who championed this issue for several sessions here in the House, and our senior Senator, Richard Blumenthal, for their leadership and sponsorship of the Senate amendment, which is before us today.

My thanks also go out to Chairman Whitfield, as well as Chairman Upton and Ranking Members Waxman and Rush and their staffs, for their bipartisan support to advance this legislation.

I also want to thank First Selectman Richard Barlow for all he has done over many years to spearhead this effort at home.

Finally, as I mentioned, 1 1/2 years ago, when this bill first came to the floor, I want to honor two gentleman, Art Fournier and Mark Quattro, environmental and community leaders who sadly are no longer with us, but who championed this effort for many years. We could not be here today without their efforts.

Mr. Speaker, roughly 5,000 bills have been introduced in the House of Representatives this Congress. Of those 5,000 pieces of legislation, this bill, H.R. 316, represents just the 167th bill which hopefully will pass both the House and the Senate.

I am honored and humbled to be able to work with colleagues across the aisle in this Congress to advance clean energy legislation that empowers local communities to harness local resources to produce renewable electricity and, at the same time, supports and advances local economic development.

There is much more that we can and should do to advance energy production and to protect our environment, but today is an excellent start.

I urge my colleagues to support the motion to concur in the Senate Amendment to H.R. 316.

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