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HomeMy WebLinkAboutLtr of Support - HR 4060 - S 2607J-( w 0 Department of Administrative Services Dave Kanner, County Administrator SWIM 1300 NW Wall St, Suite 200, Bend, OR 97701-1960 (541 ] 388-6570 - Fax [541 ] 385.3202 www.co.deschutus.or.us January 20, 2010 TO: Board of Commissioners FROM: Dave Kanner RE: Request for letter of support for HR 4060 and S 2607 Last week I received a request from Lake County, California, a request for a letter of support for the federal bills in the subject line. This legislation would undo Congressional action in 2009 that eliminated the payment of geothermal royalties to counties. These royalties amount to just under $36,000 for Deschutes County in FY '10 and are budgeted in fund 325 (Roads). I have contacted local Congressional staff regarding these bills and the decision to eliminate the shared revenues. According to Senator Wyden's staff, the provision was contained in the Department of the Interior appropriations bill and the senator would have no problem seeking to have this provision undone. I have not heard back from Senator Merkley's or Congressman Walden's staff. Tillamook County Commissioner Tim Josi, on behalf of NaCO, has already written to Congressional leadership about this. His letters are attached. If the Board would like to send a similar letter to Congressional leadership and our local delegation, staff will prepare such a letter for your signature. Enhancing the Lives of Citizens by Delivering Quality Services in a Cost -Effective Manner Jan 13 2010 10:19RM County of Lake 707-263-1012 p..1 COUNTY OF LAKE KELLY F. COX County Administrative Officer ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE Courthouse - 255 North Forbes Street Lakeport, California 95453 TELEPHONE (707) 263-2580 FAX (707) 263-1012 e -mall: Kelly_c©co.lake.ca.us January 12, 2010 Dave Kanner, Chief Administrative Officer Deschutes County Administrative Office 1300 NW Wall SL Bend, OR 97701 Dear Mr, Kanner: As you are likely already aware, Congress passed legislation, HR 2996, in late October of 2009 that eliminated payment of geothermal royalties to counties. Immediately upon becoming aware of this, which coincidentally was the same day on which the legislation was passed and signed by the President, we began an effort toward repealint. that portion of H.R. 2996 which caused the loss of royalty payments. Since that time, H.R. 4060 and S. 2607 haw been introduced to reinstate royalty payments to counties. We had originally hoped that the reinstatement of royalty payments would be included in a federal omnibu., spending bill passed in late December, prior to the holidays, but that did not happen, While we have a strong commitment from our Congressman Mike Thompson to do everything possible to address this matter as soon a; Congress comes back into session, Congressman Thompson cannot do this alone and must have vigorous support from other members of Congress and US Senators. It is very important that all counties who have received federal geothermal royalties make contact with your U i Senators and other members of your Congressional delegation, to stress the importance this matter. Deschutes County, Oregon, will lose thousands of dollars if this corrective legislation is not passed. It is imperative that this to addressed as soon as possible. Otherwise it is possible that it could take months or even years for Congress to pa, s the necessary corrective legislation. I encourage your County to communicate in the strongest of terms with your Senators and Congression it representatives regarding this matter, at the earliest possible date. A sample letter is enclosed herewith for your reference and possible use, I am also enclosing a copy of previo is correspondence frons the National Association of Counties. T. • you and if you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me. cerely, Kelly F. Cox County Administrative Officer Lake County, California Enclosures Jan 13 2010 10:19RM County of Lake National Association of Counties P The Voice of America's Counties The Honorable Mike Thompson United States House of Representatives Washington, D.C. 20515 November 10, 2009 707-263-1012 r4a7aartAn cokoe MWs Western p.3 The Honorable Dean Heller United States House of Representatives Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Representative(s) Thompson and Helier: On behalf of the National Association of Counties (NACo) and its Western Interstate Region , thank you for introducing H.R. 4060 which would overturn a provision in the FY 2010 Interior Appropriations bill that undermines local government participation in the development of geothermal energy resources. The enactment of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 provided comprehensive and much needed changes to domestic energy policy. One such provision included an amendment of the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 and modified how Federal revenues from geothermal development are shared with state and local government. Under the Act, county governments share 25% of geothermal revenues to support county departments impacted by local geothermal development and production. The recent passage of the FY 2010 Interior Appropriations bill effectively redirected the county geothermal revenue sharing funding back to the United States Treasury. Thirty-one counties in six states have benefited from geothermal revenue sharing receipts, and In turn, have been indispensibie advocates for the development of alternative energy production in the United States. Geothermal revenues have contributed to the delivery of critical county services and the development of much needed capital improvement projects such as road maintenance, public safety and law enforcement, conservation easements, capital for leveraging federal and state resources, and the critical stabilization of operations budgets In tough economic times. As this nation moves closer to securing a balanced domestic energy portfolio, elected county officials are committed to working with the Federal government as equal partners in the promotion of alternative energy development. The expansion of green energy industries will lead to the creation of high paying jobs and sustainable economic development. NACo will continue to advocate for H.R. 4060 and urge the swift enactment of this much needed legislation. Sincerely, Commissioner Tim Josi President NACo Western Interstate Region Jan 13 2010 10:19AM County of Lake NationalAssor don of Counties Nitro The Voice ofAmerica9s Counties The Honorable Harry Reid Majority Leader United States Senate Washington, D.C. 20510 November 10, 2009 707-263-1012 p.4 The Honorable Dianne Feinstein United State Senate Washington, D.C. 20510 Dear Senator(s) Reid and Feinstein: On behalf of the National Association of Counties (NACo) and Its Western interstate Region , thank you for introdudng S. 2607 which would overturn a provision in the FY 2010 Interior Appropriations bili that undermines local government participation in the development of geothermal energy resources. The enactment of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 provided comprehensive and much needed changes to domestic energy policy. One such provision included an amendment of the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 and modified how Federal revenues from geothermal development are shared with state and local government. Under the Act, county governments share 25% of geothermal revenues to support county departments impacted by local geothermal development and production. The recent passage of the FY 2010 Interior Appropriations bill effectively redirected the county geothermal revenue sharing funding back to the United States Treasury. Thirty-one counties in six states have benefited from geothermal revenue sharing receipts, and in turn, have been Indispensibie advocates for the development of alternative energy production in the United States. Geothermal revenues have contributed to the delivery of critical county services and the development of much needed capital improvement projects such as road maintenance, public safety and law enforcement, conservation easements, capital for leveraging federal and state resources, and the critical stabilization of operations budgets In tough economic times. As this nation moves closer to securing a balanced, domestic energy portfolio, elected county offidals are committed to working with the Federal government as equal partners in the promotion of alternative energy development. The expansion of green energy Industries will lead to the creation of, high paying jobs and sustainable economic develqpment. NACo will continue to advocate for S. 2607 and urge the swift enactment of this much needed legislation. Sincerely, Commissioner Tim Josi President NACo Western Interstate Region Jan 13 2010 10:19RM County of Lake DOt-MMS-MRM Financial Management Accounting Services/AP Fiscal Year 2008 Summary Geothermal Disbursements To States and Counties Per Energy Policy Act of 2005 707-263-1012 P,5 State State/County CA State of California CA . Imperial County CA Inyo County CA Lake County CA Lassen County CA Modoc County CA Mono County CA Siskiyou County CA Sonoma County California Total: Total 9,888,239.00 113,260.31 248,745.75 2,780,976.80 16.944.68 64,175.82 24,602.51 1,749,735.98 14,874,880.83 ID State of Idaho ' ID Bingham County ID Bonneville County. ID Caribou County ID Cassia County ID Washington County Idaho Total: 517,001.30 33.41 40.09 324.83 257,325.00 870.00 775,594.63 NM State of New Mexico NM Dona Ana County NM HIldago County 4,533.88 987.30 1,321.50 New Mexico Total: 6,842.48 NV State of Nevada NV Churchill County NV Elko County NV Esmeralda County NV Eureka County NV Humbolt County NV Lander County. NV Lyon County NV Mineral County , NV Nye County NV Pershing County NV Washoe County NV White Pine Nevada Total: OR State of Oregon OR Deschutes County OR Lake County Oregon Total: UT State of Utah UT Beaver County UT Iron County UT Millard County Utah Total: FY 2008 Total: 7,555,430.09 1,391,112.41 18,488.00 18,952.14 5,410.63 52,697.09 1,027,340.70 3,259.79 379,806.14 589,313.21 235,558.04 84,703.58 1,091.25 11,351,181.05 72,590.00 35,985.75 627.50 109,203.25 146,162.00 70,130.01 3,976.54 220,268.55 27 337 750.79 Jan 13 2010 10:19AM Count of Lake The Honorable U.S. Senate (or US House of Representatives) Washington, DC 20510 RE: Geothermal Royalty Payments to Counties Dear Senator (or Congressman) 707-263-1012 p•2 We are writing on a matter of significant fiscal impact to our county. As part of the Administration's budget request for fiscal year 2010, Congress passed budget language in H.R. 2996 that redirected the allocation of geothermal royalties from counties to the federal treasury. This action has the immediate impact of exacerbating the already austere budget circumstances our communities are coping with and creates the need to impose additional program cuts directly impacting our citizens. It is absolutely imperative that recently introduced legislation, S. 2607 and H.R. 4060, be swiftly enacted to reverse the prior action contained in H. R. 2996. Geothermal royalty payments must be returned to county governments. Our County receives more than $ annually in geothermal royalties. Because we are a rural county the royalty payments are an extremely important revenue source for our budget and ultimately to our ability to provide essential public services. The loss of this revenue source will lead to a serious reduction in essential public services. The economic hardships from the current recession make the prior action to eliminate royalty payments a harsh, unwarranted and unnecessary penalty to our communities. We urge you to take whatever action is necessary to ensure that S. 2607 and H. R. 4060 are passed and enacted immediately. If you have any questions please contact at Thank you. Sincerely, TES January 21, 2010 The Honorable Greg Walden United States House of Representatives 1210 Longworth House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 Board of Count Commissioners 1300 NW Wall St, Suite 200 • Bend, OR 977011960 (541) 388-6570 • Fax (541) 385.3202 www.co.deschut&.3.or.us board@co.deschute,i.or.us Tamm} Baney Dennis ';1. Luke Alar; Unger Re: Geothermal Royalty Payments to Counties Dear Representative Walden, We are contacting you regarding a matter of significant fiscal impact to Deschutes County. As part of the Administration's budget request for Fiscal Year 2010 Congress passed budget language in H.R. 2996 that redirected the allocation of geothermal royalties from counties to the federal treasury. This act on had the immediate impact of exacerbating the already difficult budget circumstances faced by our communities, and creates the need to impose additional program cuts that directly impact our citizens. It is absolutely imperative that recently introduced legislation, S. 2607 and H.R. 4060, be swiftly enacted to reverse the prior action contained in H.R. 2996. Geothermal royalty payments must be returned to county governments. Deschutes County receives nearly $36,000 annually in geothermal royalties. Because ours is a rur it county, the royalty payments are an important revenue source for our budget and ultimately our anility to provide essential public services. The economic hardships from the current recession make the action that eliminated royalty payments from the counties a harsh, unwarranted and unnecessary penalty to our communities. We urge you to take whatever action is necessary to ensure that S. 2607 and H.R. 4060 are passec and enacted without delay. If you have any questions or require further information, please contact us at (541) 388-6570 or e •mail us at board@co.deschutes.or.us. Sincerely, The Deschutes County Board of Commissioners Dennis R. Luke, Chair Alan Unger, Vice Chair Tammy Baney, Commissioner Enhancing the Lives of Citizens by Delivering Quality Services in a Cost -Effective Mani !er