Very important not only to my State but really to deliver this clean energy source that the country needs.

When we are talking about alternative energy technologies, though, we recognize that we are very, very heavily reliant on minerals that are found overseas.

I want to welcome the witnesses here this morning, and I want to thank you, Mr. Chairman.

I think when we look at what is happening within the automobile industry right now and Government looking at taking equity interest, raises great concerns.

your proposal is so important.

I think it is a pretty good bipartisan work product.

Finding a way to fix that problem is both necessary and really very practical.

I want my colleagues to understand that a great deal of care has been taken to balance the deployment of clean energy technologies.

Interior must make advancing a responsible and efficient program for our OCS resources in Alaska and elsewhere a priority.

It is a privilege to have another westerner sitting in this very important seat as Secretary of Commerce.

I just wanted to mention we all recognize, as we are talking about climate change, what we are seeing with the ocean acidification as one of the greatest threats to climate change.

If NMFS is unable to do the survey because they do not have adequate funding, the implications on a huge industry can be quite sizable.

We want to keep it that way.

I believe it has become a prime example of how Government should operate.

And in what areas would those be, these new ones that you are announcing?

I am gratified that the log jam of seems to have broken on the nominees at the Department of the Interior and Energy as well.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

I tell you this is not a job that I envy.

We look forward to working with you.

I am still not convinced, but I appreciate the explanation.

And in what areas would these additional 21 be?

Appreciate your responses.

The President's budget is about an 8 percent increase over last year, if I remember correctly.

Can you tell me a little bit about the status of those funds? Why, what do you propose to be doing with them?

Is 1,200 requests from Congress about average? Are we seeing an ever-increasing number of requests?