I view this issue as the most serious issue our Nation confronts after the issue of a terrorist getting a weapon of mass destruction.

We are seeing nations which are confronting the problem today--Greece, Ireland, potentially Spain, maybe Austria--where they basically have run up so much debt.

We have to structure a circumstance that allows the recommendations to get a vote.

I believe FERC is taking it up and plans to resolve it.

I think having a plan is always the beginning of anything that we ought to be doing.

My view is that as we think about our energy future, one of the areas that has not gotten as much attention as it should is the area of energy efficiency.

I would distinguish between research and deployment. I think deployment is, in the end, where it happens.

Government regulatory policy is obviously going to have a major impact on what happens in those markets.

Thank you all very much for being here.

Are there other things that ought to be looked at other than just the cost?

It would be a mistake to neglect this crucial partnership as we attempt to dig ourselves out of this economic downturn.

Today, we are nearly 2 years into the worst economic downturn certainly of my generation.

The Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on European Affairs meets today to examine the economic, trade, and investment ties between the United States and Europe.

I wanted to--wonder if you could elaborate on that and talk about how we can do a better job of helping our small businesses gain access to European markets?

diversification is extremely important.

we need to concentrate to a greater degree on energy efficiency, clean energy.

I especially appreciate hearing that.

Yes. We look forward to continuing to work on these issues as we try and strengthen this relationship and our exports.