Our public lands are a valuable resource. They provide many opportunities for outdoor recreation and hold vast energy deposits.

We need to be working on that right here at home as well.

Homes and other buildings are prime targets for improving efficiency--they account for 70 percent of our electricity use.

Energy efficiency improvements can provide a combination of direct consumer benefits that will persist for many years.

Addressing our energy needs in a responsible and sustainable way is necessary for our national security, our economy and our environment.

Today's hearing will help us explore what else the federal government can do to promote energy efficiency in buildings.

The most affordable kilowatt of energy is the one that is not used.

We think we roughly saved 4,200 homes by doing that.

I always like to see a local government guy make good.

There is not one silver bullet to deal with it.

Many witnesses at the hearings held in 2007 told us this legislation, if enacted, would decimate the domestic hardrock mining industry.

Today we are meeting for the first of what I hope will be several hearings on mining in America.

We should hold a hearing focusing on the importance of an expanded domestic mineral supply.

Members from Western States like mine will fight vigorously to keep these jobs because the West cannot survive off of tourism alone.

This reliance threatens our economic security.

We should hold other hearings on how to best improve abandoned mine lands and how to streamline the permitting process.

We may not be able to rely on foreign imports forever.

Members from western states like mine will fight vigorously to keep these jobs, because the West cannot survive on tourism alone.