I appreciate the work on the biofuels. I think we are working to make that transition. Again, I am optimistic.

I rise to speak on behalf of S. 953. Today I wish again to speak about gas prices in our country and the pressing need to increase domestic supply. In a nutshell, the way you reduce prices at the pump for American consumers is by…

I am going to ask the Secretary the same question, but I just wanted to give both of you a chance. Why is it taking so long?

Putting shallow water in the effective moratorium has cost jobs. It has cost the economy, and it has cost the production that would allow these prices in gasoline to be lower.

I think that is what we are trying to get at. So that it is fair process that certainly protects the environment, but that empowers private investment and empowers more energy production for this country.

I rise to speak this afternoon about the escalating cost of gasoline at the pump--something that affects every American consumer. Crude oil prices are now more than $100 a barrel and the price of gasoline at the pump for our consumers is…

Mr. Chairman, with your indulgence? Exactly. Again, that goes to the cost equation. You have to have a pipeline to get it to the oil field typically or to the wells in the field.

Absolutely. So Mr. Klara, Ms. Greenberg in the lab and in your brainstorming sessions, what are we going to do with this CO2 that's going to generate some revenue for us?

It seems to me that the 2 big issues in getting the technology to move forward for carbon capture and sequestration are cost and liability.

What do you want? What don't you want? And there's an associated cost or reduction that goes with it.

Look, if we have to compress some budgets, you're going to have to do without some services.

Thank you, Chairman Nelson, for calling this hearing to consider the fiscal year 2012 legislative branch budget requests.

I think that's right on. I mean, I would have to see your reaction across the board.

we have to be mindful of those security requirements, too.

I think you may be covering the same point that I want to explore for just a minute.

I agree on the 2-year--matter of fact, I'm cosponsoring legislation to go to a 2-year budget cycle.

I would like to ask members of our panel what do you think the key regulatory piece is for us...

Incentives that pay for themselves are the ones that probably stand the best chance to advance.