[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 186 (Thursday, December 11, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Page S10947]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. SPECTER:
  S. 3733. A bill to require the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission 
to hold at least 1 public hearing before issuance of a permit affecting 
public or private land use in a locality; to the Committee on Energy 
and Natural Resources.
  Mr. SPECTER. Mr. President, I seek recognition to speak on 
legislation I am introducing that will require the Federal Energy 
Regulatory Commission to hold at least one public hearing before 
issuance of a permit affecting public or private land use in a 
locality.
  Increasing demand for electricity throughout the Northeast is putting 
a strain on energy infrastructure in my state, necessitating new 
transmission lines and natural gas pipelines and the expansion of 
existing ones. In Southwestern and Northeast Pennsylvania transmission 
line expansions are planned over hundreds of miles of private property, 
while in the Southeast natural gas pipeline expansions are underway.
  There is no doubt these projects can be invasive, and rarely do they 
fail to be controversial. I make a point of touching all of 
Pennsylvania's 67 counties each year. In traveling Pennsylvania this 
fall I heard a lot of complaints from constituents who oppose these 
infrastructure projects, and who felt their concerns were being ignored 
by the energy companies and by FERC.
  I realize there will always be some opposition to large 
infrastructure projects. What is unacceptable, however, is for the 
voices of Pennsylvanians to be ignored. It may be the case that these 
projects are necessary to meet increased energy demand. Nonetheless, 
the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission must seriously consider and 
evaluate local concerns in a sensitive manner.
  To ensure citizens throughout the commonwealth have a voice in the 
development of energy infrastructure, my legislation will mandate that 
FERC hold an open hearing in the affected communities. State Public 
Utility Commissions, who have a great say in these matters, are beyond 
Congress' reach. But where the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is 
involved we can take steps to ensure that our constituents' concerns 
receive due consideration. Holding a hearing may not lead to all sides 
agreeing on the proper route forward, but at the very least my 
Pennsylvania constituents will come away with the satisfaction of 
having publicly aired their grievances.
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