Energy & Transportation Update
An Information Service of the AFI Energy and Transportation Committee
June 8, 2001
Volume II, Number 4ab
House Pulls Plug on California Energy Relief Bill
On May 1, 2001, Rep. Barton (R-TX) introduced H.R. 1647 "Electricity Emergency Relief Act". The bill would reduce demand by giving consumers a financial incentive to conserve electricity, by allowing the sale of excess power to third parties during peak demand and allow Daylight Savings Time to be extended in California, Nevada, Oregon and Washington. The legislation would increase power supply by freeing power plants in specified states to continue production when they had not been paid by state utilities. The bill would have also allowed the governor to waive certain Clean Air Act restrictions on power plants during electricity emergencies. The measure authorized $220 million to improve transmission bottlenecks and $100 million to help low income families in California pay electricity bills.
On June 6, 2001, the House Energy and Commerce Committee killed the measure due to partisan conflicts. The House Democrats intended to offer an amendment that would have required the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to impose price caps on wholesale electricity prices in California. The House Republicans and President Bush oppose price caps. Rep. Barton (R-TX) commented that the decision to pull the bill "keeps the comity of the committee intact for future agreements this summer."
To Increase Energy Supplies, Nuclear Energy Legislation is Sponsored
May 2, 2001, Rep. Stenholm (D-TX) and Rep. Graham (R-SC) introduced H.R. 1679 "Electricity Supply Assurance Act of 2001". Supporters of the legislation praised the bill because it provides a framework for a power source that will be necessary to reach the nation's future energy demands, "a power source with extremely low production cost and zero-emissions." The bill addresses both regulatory and financial obstacles the nuclear energy industry has confronted in the past. The measure would establish the same federal tax credit for nuclear energy as for the other zero-pollution energy sources. The bill promotes efficient oversight of the industry, aims to implement permanent solutions for spent nuclear fuel and encourages construction of new nuclear power plants.
The administration's National Energy Policy calls for new nuclear power plants to help reach the nation's demand for electricity. The policy also asks for construction and research studies to help expedite nuclear waste repositories. The only one currently under consideration is Yucca Mountain. The incoming Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle (D-SD) has issued statements that Democrats do not support this nuclear waste site. The NCSL Energy and Transportation Committee will be holding a session on Nuclear Energy at the NCSL Annual Meeting.
Legislation Introduced Would Ban Cell Phone Use While Driving
On May 22, 2001, Sen. Corzine (D-NJ) and Rep. Ackerman (D-NY) introduced legislation, S. 927 and H.R. 1837, that would ban the use of cell phones while driving and sanction states for not adopting similar legislation. Both bills would allow each state to impose their own system of penalties to enforce the restriction. States that fail to adopt the measure by FY 2004 would have 5 percent of highway construction funds withheld. States that fail to adopt the measure by the beginning of the next FY and every year thereafter, would have 10 percent of highway construction funds withheld. When Ackerman commented on the bill he stated, "Misuse of cellular telephones has become the latest terror on our roads and highways." Corzine added, "We must act to make our roads safer and this legislation goes a long way towards achieving this goal." For more general information on cell phones and driving visit the NCSL web site at www.ncsl.org/programs/esnr/2000cell.htm. The NCSL Energy and Transportation Committee will be holding a session on this issue at the NCSL Annual Meeting.
Sen. Costa asked to Testify in Support of Amtrak
NCSL President California's Sen. Costa was asked to testify in support of Amtrak at an "Amtrak Oversight" hearing before the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee. The hearing was scheduled to take place May 22, 2001, but was cancelled. The testimony addresses high-speed rail and endorses principles included in "The High-Speed Rail Investment Act" (S.250). You may view Sen. Costa's testimony at www.ncsl.org/statefed/Costatestr.htm. You can view NCSL letters sent in support of "The High-Speed Rail Investment Act" at www.ncsl.org/statefed/ettest.htm.
NCSL Sends Letter in Support of LIHEAP Appropriation
On June 5, 2001, NCSL sent a letter to the House and Senate Appropriations Committee members expressing support for the $150 million FY 2001 supplemental appropriation requested by Pres. Bush for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). NCSL stated that at least $150 million is needed to cover low-income household needs in anticipation of extreme summer heat, continuing high energy prices and other energy-related problems. The letter was signed by NCSL Energy and Transportation Committee Chairman Sen. Clifton Below (D-N.H.). You can view the letter on the NCSL web site at www.ncsl.org/statefed/LIHPSA02.htm
For more information on the Energy and Transportation Committee sessions at NCSL Annual Meeting visit the NCSL web site at www.ncsl.org/statefed/EnTmtg.htm
NCSL Staff:
Eileen Doherty
Committee Director
AFI Energy and Transportation Committee
(202)624-8687
Laurie Holmes
Staff Assistant
AFI Energy and Transportation Committee
(202)624-8695 |
