Pete Domenici: “Subject to the requirements of the Federal Credit Reform Act [et cetera, et cetera, et cetera], the Secretary may…”

“Subject to the requirements of the Federal Credit Reform Act [et cetera, et cetera, et cetera], the Secretary may, subject to appropriations, make available to project developers for eligible project costs such financial assistance as the Secretary determines is necessary to supplement private-sector financing for projects if he determines that such projects are needed to contribute to energy security, fuel or technology diversity, or clean air attainment goals. The Secretary shall prescribe such terms or conditions for financial assistance as the Secretary deems necessary. . . . That then is provided as up to 50 percent of the cost, by way of a loan. Frankly, it is all a question of risks. It is not a question of philosophy. It is not a question of whose party wants to get on what slope, a slope of entrepreneurship or a slope of guaranteeship. All of that is meaningless. What this is about is: Is it worth this little risk we are speaking of--to get what I just described going again for America? I say, overwhelmingly, absolutely, positively, yes. I do hope, come that vote time, there will not be 50 Senators, or half of those who vote today, who will say we want to strike this and kill this opportunity for America.”