I do include--we include the component about risk to supply and the disruption.

As I was looking through the bills that we have today, you always are looking to see whether or not the provisions are duplicative.

I don't mean to cut you off. But I am well over my time, and I wanted Mr. Rusco to comment on this--whether or not we really are moving the loans through in a manner that we feel is sufficient.

I believe that efficiency is part of an all-of-the-above energy plan, and this is an important first step that we are taking here today.

We've got to work on the efficiency side.

Do you think that 5 loans over a 2-year period is timely enough? Are you satisfied with that?

I would ask you to do that. As you know, here in the committee, there's been a great deal of discussion about just how we provide for the 'pay-fors' for legislation.

I think that is really an area we need to work on.

Let me ask about the ATVM loans. We hear a lot of frustration out there from companies that have applied for, but haven't received, any loans from the program.

We're dead last when it comes to this permitting process and how long it takes, anywhere from 7 to 10 years.

We're trying to understand and make sure that we're not duplicating, overlapping.

I agree that looking to sell off significant quantities of SPRO oil is ill-advised, and have said so on many, many occasions.

Minerals are the building blocks of our nation's economy.

What we should not do, however, and particularly in the case of minerals critical to our global competitiveness and our national security is purposely or unwittingly subject these projects to an unnecessarily long permitting process.

I would hope that we don't look to a quick fix, which I think tapping the SPRO would be.

The U.S. ranks dead last in the world in terms of the amount of time it takes to get to a yes or no answer to permit applicants.

Thank you Chairman Bingaman, Ranking Member Murkowski, and members of the committee for the opportunity to testify today.

I think that the Supply Star is a great start for that and brings the Department of Energy in to build the partnerships.

It actually adds to our energy security to have the new volumes of oil, plus, we're getting money, as the Federal Government and as a taxpayer, from the producer of, and operator of, that well.

I'm simply not able to support the offset envisioned by S. 1001.

I would ask you to commit to working more collaboratively on this next report that's coming out.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

It is not very often that I get to come to the Judiciary Committee to introduce Alaskans to you, so today is a special treat.

can you give me some assurances that the disaster declarations that are being requested from some of our very remote, very rural areas that again are not making the front pages will get the attention from your Agency that they certainly…

I appreciate that and would look forward to that meeting.