Hydroelectric project. The speaker pro tempore pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from michigan, mr. Upton, and the gentlelady from colorado, ms. Degette, each will control 20 minutes. The chair recognizes the gentleman from michigan. Upup thank you, mr. Speaker. I would ask mr. Upton thank you, mr. Speaker. I would ask unanimous consent that all members have five legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous materials in the record on their bill. The speaker pro tempore without objection. Mr. Upton mr. Speaker, i yield myself such time as i may consume. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Upton thank you, mr. Speaker. H. R. 446 authorizes the federal Energy Regulatory commission, ferk, upon request to extend ferc, upon request to extend by six years the time period for which construction must commence on the gathright Hydroelectric Project located in allegheny county, virginia. This may reinstate the construction license if it has expired. Similar bill is 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. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman reserves the balance of his time. The gentlelady from colorado. Degree degree thank you, mr. Speaker. I ms. Degette thank you, mr. Speaker. I yield myself such time as i may consume. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady is recognized. Ms. Degette 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. March 13, twelve, ferc licensed a hydroelectric dam project to be located at the Gathright Dam in the jackson really are river in algainey county, virginia. The licensee for the gathright project was not able to commence construction by the already extended deadline in march, twick. The bill would therefore authorize ferc to extend for up to three consecutive twoyear 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. Hope we can get this thing built and i reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady reserves the balance of her time. The gentleman from michigan. Mr. Upton mr. Speaker, i would yield as much time as he might consume to the gentleman from virginia and a member of the energy and Commerce Committee, mr. Griffith. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Griffin depriff thank you, mr. Speaker. I rise mr. Griffith thank you, mr. Speaker. I rise today in support of this bill would would extend the construction deadline for a Hydroelectric Project at the Gathright Dam. Extensive coordination between the hydroproject developer and the army corps and the current difficulties in obtaining a power Purchase Agreement have necessitated this constructions start date extension. This legislation has passed the house previously. Unanimously. And was included in last Congress House comprehensive energy bill. It is my hope this legislation will once again receive overwhelming support in this chamber. I appreciate the support of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle and i reserve the balance of my time. I yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. The gentlelady from colorado. Ms. Degette i urge a yes vote and i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady yields back the balance of her time. The gentleman from michigan. Mr. Upton mr. Speaker, i too yield back the balance of my time and urge my colleagues to support the bill. The speaker pro tempore all time is yielded back. The question is, will the house suspend the rules and pass the bill, h. R. 446. Those in favor say aye. Those opposed, no. In the opinion of the chair, 2 3 of those voting having responded in the affirmative, the rules are suspended, the bill is passed and, without objection, the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. For what purpose does the gentleman from michigan seek recognition . Mr. Upton mr. Speaker, i again move that the house suspend the rules and pass now h. R. 447. The speaker pro tempore the clerk will report the title of the bill. The clerk Union Calendar number 114. H. R. 447. A bill to extend the deadline for commencement of construction of a Hydroelectric Project. The speaker pro tempore pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from michigan, mr. Upton, and the gentlelady from colorado, ms. Degette, each will control 20 minutes. The chair recognizes the gentleman from michigan. Mr. Upton mr. Speaker, i would again ask unanimous consent that all members may have five legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous material in the record on the bill. The speaker pro tempore without objection. Mr. Upton mr. Speaker, i now yield myself as much time as i might consume. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Upton thank you, mr. Speaker. So this bill authorizes the federal Energy Regulatory commerk, ferc, upon request to extend by six years the time period during which construction must commence on the flannagan dam and reservoir hydrologic project located in dickinson county, virginia. Additionally ferc may reinstate the construction license if it has expired. The bill again passed under suspension in the last congress, the 114th, and i would hope that we can do the same today on a bipartisan way in a bipartisan way. Mr. Speaker, i would reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentlemans time is reserved. The gentlelady from colorado. Ms. Degette i yield myself such time as i may consume. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady is recognized. Ms. Degette i again rise in support of legislation by mr. Griffith, h. R. 447, why extend the deadline for commencement of construction of the flannagan Hydroelectric Project to be located at the dam on the russell fork river in dickinson county, virginia. The licensee for the flannagan Hydroelectric Project did not commence construction by the already extended deadline in january, 2016. Legislation is now required for the project to move forward. The bill would authorize ferc to extend for up to three consecutive years by the day with which the licensee is required to commence construction. During the last congress, the full house of representatives passed similar legislation by a voice vote. I once again hope my colleagues will help me in supporting passage of h. R. 447. Lets get this one built too. And i reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady reserves the balance of her time. The gentleman from michigan. Mr. Upton mr. Speaker, i would yield as much time as he might consume to the gentleman from virginia, a member of the energy and Commerce Committee, mr. Griffith. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman from virginia is recognized for as much time as he may consume. Mr. Griffith thank you, mr. Speaker. I rise today . Support of h. R. 447 i rise oday in support of h. R. 447. Extensive coordination between the hydroproject developer and the army corps and the current difficulties in obtaining a power Purchase Agreement have necessitated this construction start date extension. This legislation passed the house last congress unanimously and was up included in last Congress House comprehensive energy bill. It is my hope that this legislation will once again receive overwhelming support in this chamber and i appreciate the support of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle and yield back. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady from colorado. Ms. Degette i yield back. The speaker pro tempore yields back her time. The gentleman from michigan. Mr. Upton mr. Speaker, i yield balk as well. The speaker pro tempore the question is will the house suspend the rules and pass the bill, h. R. 447. Those in favor say aye. Those opposed, no. In the opinion of the chair, 2 3 of those voting having responded in the affirmative, the rules are suspended, the bill is passed and, without objection, the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. For what purpose does the gentleman from michigan seek recognition . Mr. Upton mr. Speaker, i now move that the house suspend the rules and pass the bill, h. R. 627. The speaker pro tempore the clerk will report the title of the bill. The clerk Union Calendar number 115. H. R. 627. A bill to amend the Energy Policy and conservation act to provide for dissemination of information regarding available federal programs relating to Energy Efficiency projects for schools and for other purposes. The speaker pro tempore pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from michigan, mr. Upton, and the gentlelady from colorado, ms. Degette, each will control 20 minutes. The chair recognizes the gentleman from michigan. Mr. Upton mr. Speaker, i would ask unanimous consent that all members may have five legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous materials in the record on the bill. The speaker pro tempore without objection. Mr. Upton mr. Speaker, i would now yield myself such time as i might consume. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Upton thank you again, mr. Speaker. This bill, h. R. 627, is an important bill that would help the nations schools make use of existing federal programs to actually reduce their energy use. There currently are a number of programs that help schools undertake projects that improve Energy Efficiency. Unfortunately School Districts dont always have the knowhow to navigate the complexities of the federal system and take full advantage of these programs. So the bill creates a simple onestopshop to get all the needed information and help School Districts participate more fully in these programs. The bottom line the nations schools will in fact reduce their energy costs. As it is, energy use in america in k12 schools totals 6 billion every year. And reducing this figure can certainly save taxpayer dollars or free up funds that schools can use on things other than energy bills. This bill, h. R. 627, has no cost. Since it merely sets up a system under which existing school Energy Efficiency programs can work better. Similar bill was passed under suspension of the rules at the end of the last congress and i would hope that we can do it today, the beginning of this congress, so that the senate can follow suit and get this to the president s desk. Mr. Speaker, i reserve the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman reserves the balance of his time. The gentlelady from colorado. Ms. Degette thank you very much, mr. Speaker. I yield myself as much time as i may consume. The speaker pro tempore the gentlelady is recognized. Ms. Degette mr. Speaker, i want to voice my strong support for h. R. 627, mr. Cartwrights streamlining Energy Efficiency for schools act. Thanks great bill that would provide a coordinated structure for our nations schools to help them better navigate available federal programs and financing options. Across the country k 1247b School Districts spend literally billions of dollars on their energy bills each year, while an estimated 14 million American Children attend deteriorating public schools. By upgrading these systems, we can increase efficiency and focus School Funding to achieve better educational outcomes. The legislation passed the house previously with broad boich support. And i urge bipartisan support. And i urge everybody to support it. Without objection, i will yield such time as he may consume to mr. Cart riot, the author cartwright, the author. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman is recognized. Mr. Cartwright thank you, mr. Speaker. Id like to thank the lee , chairman upton, for ike to thank the leadership, chairman upton, for bringing this up today. I thank the entire energy and Commerce Committee which once again voted unanimously in committee in favor of this bill. A bill that has passed the house twice under suspension in each of the past two congresses. But both times it passed during the time days of the congress and the senate did not have a chance to take the bill up. Im glad the house is considering it now and plenty of time for the senate to consider it and act. Id like to also thank congressman peter welch of vermont for his leadership on the bill. Its no secret hes one of the great champions in the house on the issue of Energy Efficiency and its been my pleasure to work with him. Mr. Speaker, so many schools across the country are in need of upgrades and improvements to their facilities. In its most recent 2017 infrastructure report card, the American Society of Civil Engineers gave the condition of our nations schools a grade of dplus. As School Administrators undertake badly needed improvements, they have an opportunity substantially to improve their facilities Energy Efficiency, producing benefits for both the environment and the economy. And reducing their energy bills. Schools can put the savings to use on other educational priorities. According to the e. P. A. And the department of energy, k12 School Districts nationwide spend approximately 8 billion on their energy bills every year. Second only to personnel costs, exceeding the cost of textbook and supplies , an estimated 2 billion of that cost could be saved by improving Energy Efficiency, an amount that could pay for, for example, 40 million tax books textbooks. Energy expenses are one of the few costs that can be reduced while at the same time improving classroom instruction. In fact, High Performance can lower er costs by 30 . There are numerous initiatives already available to schools to help them become more energy efficient, but these programs are spread across the federal government, making it challenging, time consuming, and costly for schools to identify and take full advantage of these programs. In addition, schools can use several different general purpose programs for Energy Efficiency projects if they know how to locate and apply for them. Introduced in the senate as s. 383 by senator collins this bipartisan streamlining Energy Efficiency for school act aims to provide a coordinating structure for busy School Administrators to help them better navigate available federal programs and financing options. This legislation does not spend an additional dime and keeps the Decision Making authority with the states, the school boards, and local officials. This bill establishes a clearinghouse to the office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, which will disseminate information on federal programs and financing mechanisms that may be used to develop Energy Efficiency, distribute generation and Energy Retrofitting projects for schools. The bill also directs the office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy to coordinate with federal agencies and develop an outreach effort to streamline communications and promote available federal programs. Such outreach may include a single website where School Officials can learn more about the relevant programs. Overburdened School Administrators should not have to spend hours and hours waiting wading through the federal bureaucracy as they look for ways to improve Energy Efficiency. This commonsense legislation will ensure that schools can more easily take advantage of existing energy efficientsy programs efficiency programs. T. S. A. Strategic and cost saving investment it is a strategic and cost saving investment to relieve pressure felt by School Districts across the country, supported by overburdened homeowners, whime bringing us closer while bringing us closer to Energy Security in america. And urge my colleagues to pass this bill. I yield the balance of my time spoifment the gentleman from michigan. Mr. Upton mr. Speaker, i would urge my colleagues to support this great bipartisan bill and i yield back the balance of my time. The speaker pro tempore the gentleman yields back the balance of his time. The gentlelady from colorado. Ms. Degette i yield back. The speaker pro tempore the question is, will the house suspend the rules and pass the bill,. R. 627. Those in favor say aye. Those opposed, no. Opinion of the chair, 2 3 of those voting having responded in the affirmative, the rules are suspended, the bill is passed and, without objection, the motion to reconsider is laid on the table. For what purpose does the gentleman from michigan seek recognition . Mr. Upton mr. Speaker, i would move that the house now suspend the rules and pass the bill, h. R. 951. The speaker pro tempore the clerk will report the title of the bill. The clerk Union Calendar number 116. H. R. 951. A bill to extend the deadline for commenc