When you have a government that wants to function in a dictatorial way... then we are no longer a country of democracy.

I would discourage the Service from assuming that it must mirror other Federal agencies such as the National Park Service or the Forest Service.

There is a fundamental difference between refuge lands and those managed by the National Park Service.

the ability to address problems is far easier done at the State capital than here, in Washington.

Louisiana is one of the best States when it comes to regulations.

Senators David Vitter (R-LA) and John Cornyn (R-TX) are also original sponsors of this legislation.

The legislation would remove some aspects of federal oversight under the FPA that potentially could cripple the many benefits provided by the Project.

We are one of only 6 states that is water independent.

Thank you, Madam Chairman, for your great interest in the success of the Toledo Bend Project and for this hearing that you are conducting here today on the Project.

The Authorities very much need the enactment of S.1484, the Sabine National Forest Land Exchange Act of 2013.

The legislation sponsored by Chairman Landrieu, Senator Vitter and Senator Cornyn would remove these challenges and ensure that the Project can continue to be a valuable asset of the people of Louisiana and Texas.

Water is driving the economy in Louisiana and nationwide.

What we would ask you to do, as our United States Senator, is to continue to operate from the perspective of being pro business.

This permitting has to go quickly, of course. The facilities have to be safe.

In terms of SONGS in particular, obviously the NRC has looked at this issue of the location of the fuel.

I think it is important since these three bills were just filed to focus on the ideas behind these three bills.

Certainly the regulations enforcing security and safety standards during decommissioning are very important to the country and certainly those who live and work right around these facilities.

I think some of this is semantics. You could go about it a different way.