Scott Tipton

Mr. TIPTON

Mr. TIPTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of John Cassidy of Montrose, Colorado, who is celebrating his 30th anniversary as a volunteer for the Civil Air Patrol. A man of wide-ranging experience and talents, John Cassidy served in the U.S. Navy before obtaining his bachelor's and master's degrees, and becoming a highly respected Montrose High School teacher. John was active in Habitat for Humanity where he helped with numerous projects, including his students in many home renovations. As an aircraft owner, John looked for an additional way to serve the community, finding it when he joined the Civil Air Patrol (CAP). He is a superb mountain search and rescue pilot, flying countless missions searching for lost hikers, hunters, snowmobilers, and crashed aircraft. During the course of his 30 years with the Civil Air Patrol, John has held every leadership position in the Montrose squadron, and is a role model for the hundreds of cadets who have known him. Many of those cadets have gone on to successful careers in law enforcement, the military (including USAFA, USMA and USNA), teaching, engineering, technical and medical fields. Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to recognize not just John's 30 years as a volunteer for the Civil Air Patrol, but all of the ways that John Cassidy has added to the quality of life for those who live and work in Montrose County.

Mr. TIPTON

Mr. TIPTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Larry Decker of Pueblo, Colorado. After earning his education and serving in the U.S. Navy Mr. Decker moved to Pueblo. Always a strong leader in the community, Mr. Decker was frequently involved in Veterans activities and organizations. He was a proud member of American Legion Post 207 and served a leadership role among his peers. As the senior vice commander of Post 207, Mr. Decker was highly respected not only in the American Legion but also in the Pueblo community. As enthusiastic as he was with helping others in the community, his real passion was his family. He leaves behind his wife Joan who has been by his side since 1964. Together they raised a loving family that includes two daughters and three grandchildren. On April 5th, the city of Pueblo and the State of Colorado lost a great man. Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to recognize Larry Decker. I rise today to thank him for his work on behalf of the citizens of Pueblo, and for his service to our nation. May he rest in peace.

Mr. TIPTON

Mr. TIPTON. As a sponsor of this bipartisan legislation, I support the rule on H.R. 2842, and I encourage an open debate because I believe the merits of this bill will speak for themselves. H.R. 2842 is a bipartisan plan to authorize new hydropower production and streamline the regulatory process in order to create new American jobs. Many rural water and irrigation districts and electric utilities in western States seek to develop hydropower on Bureau of Reclamation water canals and pipelines, but overburdensome and unnecessary regulations stand in the way and discourage investment in these projects. Most of these small projects are not currently authorized at Bureau of Reclamation canals and, as a result, they never get off the ground. Those that are currently authorized are subject to an additional review process under the National Environmental Policy Act even though the canals on which they are built have already gone through a full environmental review when they were constructed or rehabilitated. H.R. 2842 authorizes the production of hydropower at all Bureau of Reclamation conduits; and by doing so, it allows placement of small hydropower generators on existing man-made canals and pipes that have already gone through the NEPA process. This authorization does not currently exist, and therefore hydropower development under current reclamation law will not happen unless Congress acts. This bill also eliminates duplicative red tape by exempting small hydropower projects on previously disturbed ground from going through an additional NEPA review. This bill does not apply to rivers, large dams, or natural- flowing waters in any way, and it will not impact endangered fish or wildlife. In many cases, having to go through an additional unnecessary review process determines whether or not a hydropower project is economically feasible and, as a result, determines whether or not this country moves forward with the development of green energy. Chris Treese of the Colorado Water District in the Natural Resources Committee testified on this bill and he stated: Environmental reviews under NEPA are universally time consuming and expensive. The River District's current experience with an environmental assessment on a nonconstruction action has taken over a year and nearly $1 million in outside expenses. By eliminating this duplicative requirement, we can add power to the grid, provide an environment for job growth in rural America and return revenues to the Treasury. This commonsense piece of legislation has bipartisan cosponsorship and passed out of the committee with bipartisan support. It's also been endorsed by the rural irrigators and electric utilities that operate the Bureau of Reclamation canals and know the issue best. These organizations include: the Family Farm Alliance, the National Water Resources Association, the American Public Power Association, and the Association of California Water Agencies. I'm proud to offer this contribution to the House Republicans of the all-of-the-above energy strategy for America, and I look forward to a spirited discussion on how we can produce more renewable energy and put our people in this country back to work.

Mr. TIPTON

Mr. TIPTON. I thank the gentleman from Washington for yielding. Mr. Chairman, Members of the House on both sides of the aisle talk of the need for an all-of-the-above energy solution for this country, a solution that gives serious consideration to all resources, including renewable and alternative energy. It's easy to talk about this need, but today I offer a bill that turns that talk into action. My bill, the Bureau of Reclamation Small Conduit Hydropower Development and Rural Jobs Act of 2012, is a key piece of the all-of-the-above strategy energy that our country needs in order to strengthen reliable, domestic energy production; expand development of responsible, renewable energy; generate economic growth; and get Americans working once more. Hydropower is the cheapest and cleanest source of electricity. This is created through modern technology. It's the highest source of non- carbon emitting energy in the world, accounting for approximately 69.9 percent of the United States' total renewable electricity generation, making it the lead renewable energy resource power, according to the Hydropower Association. In Colorado, nearly 30.7 percent of our renewable energy is hydropower, but only 3.1 percent of all Colorado is hydropower. We have a significant opportunity in Colorado to expand on this clean, renewable source of power while creating badly needed jobs for the Third District of Colorado in the process. In Colorado alone, there's enough existing capacity to generate as much power as the Glen Canyon Dam. However, as it stands, no major hydroelectric facilities have been built in many years. Existing facilities are being drained by endless litigation and regulatory obstacles that stifle production and lead to an increase in electricity prices and shortages in many regions of the country. By streamlining the regulatory process and reducing administrative costs for small hydropower development at Reclamation's facilities, this commonsense legislation will encourage the production of clean, renewable hydropower and provide much needed opportunities for the creation of new jobs in Colorado for some of our Nation's hardest hit rural areas. This commonsense bill garnered bipartisan support in the House Natural Resources Committee and has been endorsed by the Family Farm Alliance, the National Water Resources Association, the Association of California Water Agencies, and the American Public Power Association. Chris Treese of the Family Farm Alliance and a constituent of mine in the Third Congressional District put it best when talking about the need for the bill: The margins on small hydro are very small. Districts need to be able to make timely investment decisions without the prospect of environmental reviews of undetermined length and expense. Additionally, Western water districts share the Nation's desire to make investments that can put people to work immediately. Environmental reviews of small hydro on existing conduits represent an unnecessary and often chilling uncertainty for an economically marginal investment. This legislation, which applies to all projects on Reclamation conduits without exception, seeks to address this concern and fix an unwieldy environmental review process that requires small developers to jump through unnecessary and duplicative bureaucratic hoops in order to complete a project on existing conduits that has already undergone the proper environmental reviews. By doing this, the Bureau of Reclamation Small Conduit Hydropower Development and Rural Jobs Act of 2012 will jump-start small hydropower development through which power generated will be sent directly to the grid and also create revenues that will help pay for aging infrastructure in our communities.

Mr. TIPTON. Mr. Chairman, it's interesting, our colleagues do talk about jobs. We want to be able to create jobs, to be able to facilitate that opportunity for Americans to be able to go back to work, to be able to create clean energy right here in the United States. As my colleague was pointing out, a commonsense piece of legislation. We're going through existing conduits, what we call in our part of the world ditches, to be able to capture that energy, to be able to deliver it to allow local decisions to be able to be made. But our colleagues seem to want to make sure that we're standing up, or they are standing up, for the status quo, and that just means say no--say no to clean energy. No, join with us and support clean energy and hydroelectric power. You're saying no to jobs. Join with us to be able to create jobs right here in this country and be able to put our people back to work. We have enough red tape. This amendment will simply grow more government. And as we saw from testimony in our committee and charts that have been shown during this debate, there's no need to put more expense on the backs of the American people, who simply cannot afford your stand to build more government. This is an amendment that deserves to be rejected. I ask for that, and ask for a favorable vote on H.R. 2842. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. TIPTON. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word.

Mr. TIPTON. That is correct. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. TIPTON. I'll certainly yield to my colleague.

Mr. TIPTON. Mr. Chairman, I think our opponents on this piece of legislation are confused as to actually what the debate is truly about. If it is about jobs, if it is about the American people, if it is about providing energy certainty, and if it is about reducing the carbon footprint in this country, then 2842 is a good piece of legislation. They say conceptually they embrace it, but they want to put on the backs of hardworking Americans more cost and more uncertainty at a time when we need to create certainty and when we need to be able to have that opportunity to be able to reduce costs. Our opponent commented that we see no evidence that projects are being delayed. Well, the fact of the matter is, when we had testimony, Chris Trees of the Colorado Water District noted that it took well over a year for a project to be approved. Many projects were not being considered simply because of the regulatory costs. When we look at this chart on a projected cost to build a small hydropower installation, the actual cost to build the unit is $20,000. By the time that we concur with our Democrat colleagues' insistence that we expand bureaucracy and have more government, we are going to add an additional $50,000 in cost. What's the challenge for rural America? It is dollars. We have struggling communities of people that need jobs. People need to be able to be put back to work. It may, in big cities, not be big money when you start to talk about $50,000, but for our small water districts, it truly is. This is a chance to stand up for the American people. This is a chance to be able to create clean energy for this Nation. When we looked at examples in terms of what does overregulation by the government do, when we went through the NEPA process, no one argued as we had photos that my colleague, Mr. Gosar, had shown of constructed ditches made by men, were put into place to have the NEPA process, but then to duplicate that process, we could look at Bureau of Reclamation's process in which it took 5 years for it to find out that it even had jurisdiction over the Klamath project C-Drop Canal in order to pave the way for conduit hydropower--5 years. Join with us in caring about the environment, to make sure that we're going to be delivering clean hydropower--not delaying it for 5 years, not delaying it for a year, not putting more costs on the backs of the American people when they simply can't afford it--and putting people back to work. That's the choice we have on this legislation. As Chairman Hastings has noted, it's a commonsense piece of legislation. It makes sense, and it makes good common sense to vote for it.

Mr. TIPTON. Mr. Chairman, I move to strike the last word.

Mr. TIPTON. Mr. Chairman, this is a technical amendment that changes the year of the bill from 2011 to 2012, and I ask my colleagues to support this noncontroversial amendment. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. TIPTON. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. TIPTON. From the beginning, this Congress has made responsible energy development a legislative priority with the goal of putting forward a comprehensive solution that expands the development of alternative and renewable energy technologies while continuing the development of traditional energy resources. We have an opportunity to join together in this body and pass a commonsense solution to advance the common goal of developing clean and renewable alternative energy and to put into place a key component of an all-of-the-above energy plan. I ask my colleagues to take this into consideration and to remember the words that are inscribed in this very Chamber from Daniel Webster, saying: Let us develop the resources of our land, call forth its powers, build up its institutions, promote all its great interests, and see whether we also in our day and generation may not perform something worthy to be remembered. Hydropower development follows in the legacy of the responsible development of our precious natural resources with the steadfast protection of our environment. So I ask my colleagues for their support of the Bureau of Reclamation Small Conduit Hydropower Development and Rural Jobs Act of 2011.

Mr. TIPTON

Mr. TIPTON. I thank Chairman Hastings for yielding. Mr. Chairman, this is clearly an interesting position from our Democratic colleagues. They say we need roads; they say we need jobs; they say we need an energy policy. But not here, not now, not anywhere. When we look at the challenges that we face from overseas in terms of creating American certainty for energy, it's something for which we must all stand together. We're looking at developing oil shale as a potential resource for this country, right here in America, in order to be able to create American jobs on American soil while using American energy resources. Let's explore this. From the Republican side, we've clearly stood for an all-of-the-above policy. Why is there such reluctance from our Democrat colleagues to embrace developing the technology to be able to create certainty for America's energy future, to be able to help struggling young families, senior citizens on fixed incomes make sure that their utility bills, their gas bills don't continue to rise? That's what we're proposing.

Mr. TIPTON. I thank the gentleman. When we're talking about protecting Colorado, many of our Democrat colleagues joined the amendment that I put forward, stating that the Secretary wouldn't consider but shall address local concerns. If you understand Colorado water, you can't just take it. It's a priority- based system. You have to actually own that water to be able to develop it. We have a reasonable plan that we're trying to put forward to develop American energy certainty; but our Democratic colleagues, their solution of having ``no, not here, not now, not anywhere'' is not a solution that will work for America. Let's get our people to work. Let's create certainty for America and stand up for the American consumer for a change.

Mr. TIPTON

Mr. TIPTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Lt. Col. Tracy N. Johnson (retired). A resident of Montrose Colorado, Lt. Col. Johnson recently celebrated his 90th birthday with a host of family and friends at his side. It is my honor to recognize Lt. Col. Johnson's distinguished Marine Corps career. The sacrifices he has made and the commitment he displayed during his time in uniform and since leaving the active ranks of the Marine Corps are truly deserving of special recognition. Member of our nation's ``greatest generation'', Lt. Col. Johnson served his country bravely while flying combat missions in three wars. His action in combat, earned him the Distinguished Flying Crosses and Air Medals, testaments to his courage, patriotism and devotion to duty. Marines serving throughout the world today take great pride in carrying on the illustrious legacy of valor, discipline and steadfast fidelity that he helped forge. From flying Corsairs in Korea to serving as a Presidential Helicopter pilot for Presidents Kennedy and Johnson, he provided crucial air support throughout his career and set the standard for Marine aviation. He has earned the respect and admiration of all who have had the privilege of serving with him, and he has been an inspiration for generations of his fellow Marines. Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to recognize and extend my deepest gratitude to Lt. Col. Tracy N. Johnson. I rise today in recognition of his dedication to his family, community, and this nation.

Mr. TIPTON

Mr. TIPTON. I appreciate following my colleague from Colorado, who recognizes the importance of jobs. Unfortunately, the President of the United States has turned a blind eye to the needs of the American people. In my own district in the State of Colorado, according to the Colorado Department of Labor, we have 17 counties that have unemployment in excess of 20 percent. We have an opportunity to create jobs in this country. The Keystone pipeline will help provide energy certainty for this country in a responsible way, and will create American jobs on American soil to be able to put American people back to work. Today, we hear the President is throwing his hands up and turning his back on the American people. The people deserve better. We must get this economy moving. We must create those opportunities for jobs for the American people. This is our time. This is our opportunity, and we call upon the President to join us in putting Americans first.

Mr. TIPTON

Mr. TIPTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in memory of Colorado State Senator Robert Shanklin Wham. Mr. Wham, a long time resident of Colorado was an active and giving citizen of our State. Following his graduation from the University of Illinois School of Law, Mr. Wham joined a law firm in Montrose, Colorado. It did not take him long to become involved in Colorado Government, accepting a position as an Assistant U.S. District Attorney and moving to Denver where he later served as Deputy City Attorney, and later the City Attorney. In 1976, he was elected to the Colorado State Senate. Mr. Wham remained active in the practice of law until 2009. Mr. Wham loved to spend time in the Colorado Mountains with his family. A passionate outdoorsman, you could find Mr. Wham throughout the year driving through the mountains, skiing, hiking and sailing. Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to recognize Senator Robert Shanklin Wham. I rise today in memory of his devotion to his family and to the State of Colorado.

Mr. TIPTON

Mr. TIPTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of outgoing Pueblo, Colorado City Council Representative Lawrence Atencio. Mr. Atencio's last day representing Council District 2 was December 31, 2011. A man of wide-ranging experience and talents, Lawrence Atencio served in the Armed Forces and worked in municipal government, academia, the arts, and in private business before his election to the council. He served two terms of office, beginning in 2007. After graduating from East High School in 1965, Lawrence earned associate's and bachelor's degrees from Southern Colorado State College, and later a master's in public administration from the University of Northern Colorado. He served in the U.S. Army from 1970- 1972, and then returned home to Pueblo and became a Health Inspector. Since 1984, he has owned and operated LA Distributing Company. Mr. Atencio has also been an instructor of classical ballet since 1972, as well as director/choreographer for the Colorado State Fair Fiesta Committee Scholarship Pageant and an actor in community theatre and the film industry. Since 1991, he has taught Business, Macro Economics, Sociology, and Chicano Studies at the college level. Mr. Atencio is active in the Knights of Columbus and is a private pilot. Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to recognize Councilman Lawrence Atencio. I rise today to thank him for his work on behalf of the citizens of Pueblo.

Mr. TIPTON

Mr. TIPTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of outgoing Pueblo, Colorado City Council Representative Vera Ortegon. Councilwoman Ortegon's last day representing her at-large district was December 31, 2011. A businesswoman, microbiologist, and mother, Vera Ortegon immigrated to the United States from Colombia to attend college, and has since become an American success story. Her wide variety of experience has served her well during her two terms of office, beginning in 2007. While working as a production manager for the Schering Corporation in New Jersey, Mrs. Ortegon earned bachelor's and master's degrees in microbiology from Rutgers and Fairleigh Dickinson University. Simultaneously, she has been managing partner of a family-owned real estate company since 1976. In 1980, she moved to Pueblo with her husband. She later continued her studies in the University of Colorado's Ph.D. program in molecular biology, while also working as an instructor, researcher, and director of the Biotechnology Center at the Colorado Springs campus. More recently, Vera has worked for the Office of Economic Development and International Trade, Southeastern Colorado Conservancy District Board, and as President of the Board of Water Works. She is active with the Pueblo Economic Development Corporation, the 10th Judicial District Nominating Commission, and is Vice President of the John Neumann Catholic Schools Board. She is married with two sons. Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to recognize Councilwoman Vera Ortegon. I rise today to thank her for her work on behalf of the citizens of Pueblo.

Mr. TIPTON

Mr. TIPTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of outgoing Pueblo, Colorado City Council President Ray Aguilera. Mr. Aguilera's last day representing Council District 4 was December 31, 2011. Ray Aguilera knows the City of Pueblo well thanks to his roles as a student recruiter at Pueblo Community College and as manager of both Pueblo Boulevard Liquors and Fiesta Used Cars. This extensive business and educational experience has served him well during his two stints with the Council, first in 2003 and then beginning in 2007. A graduate of Pueblo Catholic High School, Mr. Aguilera attended Southern Colorado State College, St. Michaels College, and Pueblo Junior College. In addition to his Council responsibilities, he has been a member of the Pueblo Area Council of Governments, Caring for Colorado Board of Directors, and Boys and Girls Club of Pueblo Board of Directors, as well as many other outstanding civic organizations. He is the president and founder of the Pueblo Hispanic Education Foundation. Mr. Aguilera's numerous local awards have included Greater Pueblo Chamber of Commerce Member of the Year, Latino Chamber Member of the Year, and the Latin-American Educational Foundation Annual Salute Award. His daughter, Andrea Nicole Aguilera, is a senior at Colorado State University. Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to recognize Councilman Ray Aguilera. I rise today to thank him for his work on behalf of the citizens of Pueblo.

Mr. TIPTON

Mr. TIPTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in memory of Colorado State Senator Fred Anderson. A Loveland native and former Senate President, Mr. Anderson recently passed away at the age of 83. Senator Anderson is remembered by his colleagues for his decency, statesmanship, and expertise on water issues. He was first elected in 1966, at the age of 38. For eight of his sixteen years in office, he also served as Senate President. Among his signature achievements were helping to integrate Colorado's ground and surface water rights, restructuring state water laws, and securing in-stream flow water rights. Since retiring from the legislature in 1982, Senator Anderson stayed active on water issues and chaired the Loveland Water and Sewer Board. He received a Presidential appointment to the U.S. Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations, where he served for six years. Additionally, he helped found the House of Neighborly Service and Project Self-Sufficiency, and was an active member of Trinity Lutheran Church. Fred Anderson's family has resided in the Loveland area since his great-great-grandparents, indentured servants from Sweden, were married there in 1876. He grew up on a farm before serving with the U.S. Army in the Korean War. After the war, he returned to Colorado and married his wife of 57 years, Anne, and began a career raising cattle. He is also survived by four children, seven grandchildren, and one great- grandchild. Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to recognize Senator Fred Anderson. I rise today in remembrance of his dedication to his family and to the State of Colorado.

Mr. TIPTON

Mr. TIPTON. I thank the gentleman for yielding. Our colleague on the Democrat side is citing the amount of tax increase that Americans will have inflicted on them. That's what we're talking about, as well. We have an opportunity here, Mr. Speaker, to stand up today for the American people in a very clear choice: 2 months or 12 months. Easy math. We talked about waiting until February. It will be followed by March. The same challenges affecting the American people right now will be present then. This is our opportunity as a legislative body to stand up for the American people for a change rather than politics as usual. We can't afford to let them down. The American people, American businesses, and American seniors deserve some certainty, certainty that we can provide. Out of this House we passed bipartisan legislation. The Senate passed their version, and it now needs to go to conference so the American people can be better served. This issue is not one that we should be debating, but one we should be standing together as Republicans and Democrats, because this isn't a political issue. This is about standing up for the American people. This is our opportunity to do just that.

Mr. TIPTON

Mr. TIPTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Mr. Harold Anderson, President of the Board of the Costilla Conservation District. Mr. Anderson was inducted into the Colorado Association of Conservation Districts' Conservation Hall of Fame on November 16, 2011. Mr. Anderson, of Jaroso, Colorado, is known among his peers for his dedication to his duties, knowledge of the area's most important issues, and reliability. He is a tireless supporter of the farmers and ranchers that form the bedrock of his community, and works with fellow board members to keep the focus on what they can do for Costilla County. Friends say that he is ``a heck of a cattle hauler, too.'' Since his appointment to the Board in 1999, Mr. Anderson has earned a reputation for making things happen, whether it's a community event, scholarship program, or teaching workshop. During a difficult time full of management turnover, he kept the District on firm footing, often by assuming extra duties. Mr. Anderson's family has been a part of the San Luis Valley for generations, beginning when his grandfather moved into the farmhouse where they still reside in the late 1920s. He has been married to his wife Kathy for 39 years, and together they raised a son and two daughters. Harold is a member of the numerous local boards, committees, and cattlemen's associations, and was appointed by Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar to serve on the Rio Grande Natural Habitat Initiative. Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to recognize Mr. Harold Anderson. I rise today to thank him for his public spirit and devotion to the conservation needs of Costilla County, Colorado.

Mr. TIPTON

Mr. TIPTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Chief Gerald Whitman of the Denver Police Department. Chief Whitman has served capably and honorably in this position for over eleven years. Chief Whitman's distinguished career with the Department began in 1982. After excelling as a Patrol Officer, Field Training Officer, Sergeant, and Lieutenant, he was promoted to the rank of Captain in 1995. During this time he was responsible for the protection of the newly-formed District 6, including Capitol Hill and Downtown Denver. Three years later, he was again promoted to Division Chief of Patrol, where he oversaw uniformed patrol operations. Mayor Wellington Webb named Gerald Whitman as Denver's 68th Chief of Police in 2000. Under his leadership, major crime rates have dropped despite an economic recession and fewer officers per capita on patrol. The Department has gained a reputation for innovative ideas, the effective use of technology, and an emphasis on community and victim outreach. Its forensics lab and cold case unit have received wide acclaim, and serve as a model for departments nationwide. Gerry Whitman holds a Bachelors Degree in Law Enforcement Administration and a Masters in Criminal Justice from the University of Colorado at Denver. Despite having a longer tenure than any of his predecessors, he intends to return to the rank of Captain after stepping down as Chief of Police. Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to recognize Chief Gerald Whitman. I rise today to thank him for his continuing devotion to the City of Denver and its citizens.