SA 1636. Mr. MENENDEZ submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill H.R. 1419, to move the United States toward greater energy independence and security, to increase the production of clean renewable fuels, to protect consumers from price gouging, to increase the energy efficiency of products, buildings and vehicles, to promote research on and deploy greenhouse gas capture and storage options, and to improve the energy performance of the Federal Government, and for other purposes;
which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

At the end, add the following:
TITLE VIII--MISCELLANEOUS


SEC. 801. STUDY OF THE EFFECT OF PRIVATE WIRE LAWS ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF COMBINED HEAT AND POWER FACILITIES.
(a) Study.--
(1) IN GENERAL.--The Secretary, in consultation with the States and other appropriate entities, shall conduct a study of the laws (including regulations) affecting the siting of privately owned electric distribution wires on and across public rights-of-way.
(2) REQUIREMENTS.--The study under paragraph (1) shall include--
(A) an evaluation of--
(i) the purposes of the laws; and
(ii) the effect the laws have on the development of combined heat and power facilities;
(B) a determination of whether a change in the laws would have any operating, reliability, cost, or other impacts on electric utilities and the customers of the electric utilities; and
(C) an assessment of--
(i) whether privately owned electric distribution wires would result in duplicative facilities; and
(ii) whether duplicative facilities are necessary or desirable.
(b) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report that describes the results of the study conducted under subsection (a).


(As printed in the Congressional Record for the Senate on Jun 18, 2007.)