Hopefully now with a greater appreciation of distributed generation and the urgent need to bring clean energy alternatives online, we will be able to incorporate the policies we need in the comprehensive energy bill that the committee is…

I think this hearing should be enlightening and help us to understand what additional steps we can take to facilitate energy production from all sources.

I guess I am hearing a fairly consistent message from folks that there really is no logical reason for not having uniform interconnection standards across the country.

Absent Congressional direction, the political process will make it extremely difficult for states to abandon existing less environmentally preferable coal fired and other units.

Both the recent Republican Chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Joe Kelliher, and the current Democratic Chair, Jon Wellinghoff, have indicated that they believe they need stronger authority to deal with cyber threats and…

Chairman Bingaman and other Senators on this Committee should be commended for their work on enacting Section 215.

We have come to believe that these provisions do not provide sufficient protection against computer attacks.

We should not forget about those Americans who face a growing 'digital divide' as we consider the future of journalism.

The crisis, Mr. Chairman, that you talked about is hitting New Mexico.

I would like to see some progress.

Investigative journalism plays an essential role in American democracy by exposing those who violate the public trust.

I would like to state my appreciation for America's merchant mariners who are not often recognized for the work they do.

S. 967, which was introduced by Senator Bingaman on May 4, 2009, would direct the Secretary of Energy to develop a plan to include refined petroleum products in the SPR.

In May 2009, Congressman Heinrich introduced the HEARTH Act, which will offer willing Indian tribes the authority to enact their own tribal leasing regulations.

I think he is extremely well qualified for this position for which the President has chosen him.

Thank you for your questions and I want to associate myself with your remarks in pushing for transparency.

This is an important set of topics. I want to thank you for holding this hearing, and in particular for your focus on shielding consumers and investors from fraud, abuse, and deception.

We must ensure that our National Surface Transportation Policy is guided by the need to promote economic growth while protecting public safety and the environment.