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Show House Passes Bills Improving Security At Federal Dams, Substations and Power Lines WASHINGTON, D.C. - The House Resources Committee has passed two key bills that will improve security at federal dams, power stations and transmission trans-mission lines. The committee, by voice vote, approved H.R. 2925 and H.R. 2924 and sent them to the House floor for prompt consideration. H.R. 2925 allows the Bureau of Reclamation to contract with local, state, tribal, and federal agencies to provide trained and certified law enforcement security secu-rity at federal dams and other reclamation sites. Current law does not allow the Bureau to either hire its own certified law enforcement personnel or contract con-tract with other agencies to provide pro-vide that security. H.R. 2924 helps ensure the safety of our federal power infra-structure by authorizing the Western Power Administr ation, the Southwestern Power Administration and Southeastern Southeast-ern Power Administration to offer rewards up to $1,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those who vandalize substations, power lines, etc. Chairman James V. Hansen said "The terrible attacks on Sept. 1 1 taught us, as a nation, to imagine . unimaginable acts against us and take sound, swift steps to make sure they can't happen. At a time like this, we must take actions to facilitate fully-trained, ongoing security at our federal dams and hydroelectric hydro-electric power plants as well as take steps to better protect our federal electricity infrastructure. "H.R. 2925 allows the Bureau of Reclamation to better plan and implement security for (See HOUSE BILL on page 6A) House Bill From Page 3-A' 348 reservoirs and 58 hydroelectric hydro-electric power plants that provide pro-vide critical water and power to some of the most popu-lous regions of the country. "H.R. 2924 authorizes power administrations around the country to better protect 16,000 miles of federal transmission lines and the 258 substations that lights and heats a good portion por-tion of this country by offering rewards leading to the arrests of anyone who commits property crimes on these sites. Together, these bills take sound steps to ensure the safety and security of that federal water and power system. I look forward to prompt passage of these bills on the House floor." |