We are very encouraged with that. But there is some anxiety given what we are facing with the budget and budgetary constraints that IHS will not be able to meet its commitment to provide the equipment and the staffing packages in fiscal…

We are very, very concerned about this timing and we need to have a little more assurance that in fact this is all going to work together.

The concern here is all about timing.

There is some real concern that these proposed changes might undermine the progress that the tribal consortium within the State have been made.

So really we don't have to do that much in terms of any new technologies. We just move it quicker.

But given that we've already used some pretty substantial amounts of sea water.

It's probably too early for us to say that this situation is under control.

So the decay radiation in this spent fuel that we're moving and saying OK, after 5 years we're going to move this. You're still going to have a level of radiation there.

Gentlemen, thank you.

last week I spoke on five of the steps we need to take to increase domestic oil production. Today I wish to take a few moments to speak more broadly about our Nation's energy policy as a whole, what the proper goals for such a policy…

Do we say that our choice is restricted or limited?

It's interesting listening to the discussions going back and forth and whether or not we have choice in what we put in our home.

So do we just abandon what you have been putting in place with the rulemaking?

The implementation of National Consensus Appliance Agreements, which I have co-sponsored with you, Mr. Chairman, notably contains important new standards for outdoor lighting, furnaces and air conditioners.

I can't buy them anymore. Does that mean that I have been denied the choice?

I think it would be, particularly at a time when we're all focused on what's going on with cost...

In the process of implementation of a standard, how long does something like this take?

Of course as you know the concern out there is that you're going to have Department of Energy come knocking on your door...

Do we have any idea then as to the cost that would be associated as you try to implement the standards over a several year process?

We thank Senators Bingaman and Murkowski for introducing this bill and also thank Senator Lugar who played a key role in advancing last year's version of this bill.

We recognize that the single most common trait seen among the fisheries and the communities is their dependence on well-managed marine resources.

We employ, well, I guess it is more than 60,000 Americans that are directly or indirectly employed in the industry.

I will tell you that we are not done attempting to resolve this issue, and I will be asking for your support as we try to pursue this.

Well, we would like to be kept abreast on that because the concern, of course, is that if the startup funds aren't in place, then program implementation may be delayed.

As you know, we have the most abundant fisheries in the Nation.