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Though ERMU benefited from the UPA/CP merger,restructuring within the industry led to restrictions on how public utilities could use bond money. This threatened to dramatically increase taxes on ERMU. A federal bill, HR 721, was up for vote in 1999 to exclude public utilities from the restrictions. The bill amended the definition of"private business use" bonding to exclude "permitted open access transactions.""' This would allow for projects like the construction of electric facilities to be funded by bond money without increased taxes. If the bill was not passed, these restrictions would severely restrict how ERMU could use its bond money, which would limit expansion and restrict the quality of service. General Manager Bryan Adams wrote to Representative James Oberstar advocating for ERMU and other public utilities, noting that increased taxes would force ERMU to raise rates, leading to a loss of customers. He also argued that the bill protected ERMU's decision-making power in a changing industry. Adams lobbied for HR 721 because the legislation would give community-owned utilities power to improve services, and prevent private power companies from taking over their service area. While the bill was referred to the House Ways and Means Committee in February 1999, it did not return to the floor for a vote.112 A New Millennium In January 2000, the ERMU Commissioners heard updates on the gas turbine project as well as a landfill gas generation project with Sherburne County. Other projects in development included the closing of Well No. 6. This project was more expensive than anticipated because of engineering and sump pump fees, which added $10,000 to the project cost. 113 ERMU developed new long-term programs as its service area grew. One major initiative, authorized by the commission in March 2000, was the Wellhead Protection Plan (WHPP), which sought to seal unused wells and ensure that active wells met safety standards. The WHPP outlined a"protection area" in which contaminants from tainted wells would reach Elk River's aquifer within twenty years. Within this area, ERMU educated the public on maintaining safe wells and identifying abandoned wells on their property to prevent contamination of the aquifer. The commission also held public meetings about the WHPP program and brought in professionals from the Minnesota Rural Water Association to answer questions. Implementation of the WHPP was initially scheduled to last ten years,but was extended to twenty years in 2012.114 "I"H.R.721—Bond Fairness and Protection Act of 1999,"http://beta..congress.gov/bill/106th-congress/house- bill/721 (accessed April 21,2014). 112 Bryan Adams to Representative James Oberstar,letter,n.d.,ERMU files; "H.R.721—Bond Fairness and Protection Act of 1999." 13 Elk River Municipal Utilities Commission Minutes,January 11,2000;John Linc Stine,Administrator,Minnesota Department of Natural Resources,to Robert J.McCartney,ERMU,letter,August 13, 1997;ERMU archival files. 14 ERMU, Wellhead Protection and Conservation(Elk River:published by the company, [2000]);Elk River Municipal Utilities Commission Minutes,March 14 and April 11,2000;ERMU,"Annual Report,"2012,n.p. 30