By hook and by crook, the House considers the Alcoa dam bill tonight. The bill reaches the floor and debate begins at 9:30 with freshman Rep Justin Burr, R-Stanly explains the bill.

Rep Mitch Gillespie, R-McDowell, makes a compelling argument that the bill is not needed and the license is not dependant on the Trust, this sets bad public policy and the government should not take private property and cannot afford this.

Rep Jeff Barnhart, R- Cabarrus, argues for the takeover.

Rep Phil Haire, D-Jackson, says you?ve either got to work out an agreement with Alcoa or you’re going to have to pay for the taking. Looks like it could cost as much as $750,000,000 when you add in all the clean up costs. The state would have to condemn the land and take it out of private hands. Haire says this is something the state should not do. Burr says there is no condemnation but a recapture by FERC.

Rep Verla Insko, D-Orange, asks what the bill does. Burr says it creates a shell so that while we?re not in session, the license can go forward. Would have to come back to the General Assembly for funding.

Rep Curtis Blackwood, R-Union, says Alcoa has run this operation for 50 years and now we are changing the game and will confiscate your property. What does this tell other businesses? What kind of economic development policy does this set? Next year the economy will be worse. Where are you going to get the money?

Rep Nelson Dollar, R-Wake, says all these dams in NC were built with private money and they have provided great value to the state. Do we really want the state to be in the power business? This will put the state in debt for the next decade.

Rep Van Braxton, D-Nash, says the state doesn’t need to be in the power business. ?This is a bad bill at a bad time.?

Rep Pryor Gibson, D-Anson, says the two sides are swinging and don’t know what they’re swinging at. He says that having private company regulates ‘every drop of water” over 2,000.000 people are affected. Says this is not about eminent domain. Key question is what happens if Alcoa goes away? Gibson says, ” Please vote for this bill and let’s move on to more important things.”

Rep Bill Current, R-Gaston, asks Gibson who owns the land under the lake? Gibson says it’s a group. Current asks, Are you after the water or are you after the power that’s generated and the money? Gibson says the state owns it and they should receive the benefit. Current raises concerns about the principle we’re setting and the financial quagmire we’re getting into.

After 45 minutes of debate, House Rules Chairman, Rep. Bill Owens, D-Pasquotank, calls for the vote. His motion passes 75-28.

Vote on the bill is taken and the bill fails 39-66.

BUT, another bite at this apple remains due to Hartsell’s maneuvering yesterday and House Bill 1099 remains alive. A government takeover of a private business remains a possibility in North Carolina.