Barbara Boxer

The California Air Resources Board estimates that diesel emissions contribute to 2,000 premature deaths each year.

California faces some of the most dangerous air pollution issues in the Country.

I am so pleased that President Obama has selected someone with such a strong background in clean air protection for this critical role at the EPA.

I wanted to thank you so much for this because I think what we are learning here is that we have made a lot of progress.

The best fuels will win.

I am here to thank you so much for calling this hearing, and I am really here to learn and listen.

Water reclamation and recycling, groundwater cleanup and more water efficient products are all technologies that are currently available.

The pressures on our water resources will increase in the future.

A 2003 GAO survey of State water managers showed that 36 States expected water shortages by the year 2013.

Reservoirs are at historically low levels, dozens of water agencies have already ordered water rationing, and just last month, the Governor declared a State-wide water emergency.

In California, we are currently in the third year of one of the worst droughts in the State's history.

The topic of today's hearing is very important to me and to my home State of California, and I would like to thank the Subcommittee Chair, Senator Cardin, for holding this hearing.

I would like to extend a special welcome to my fellow Californian, Martha Davis from the Inland Empire Utility Agency.

Do you agree to ensure that testimony, briefings, documents, and electronic and other forms of communication of information are provided to this Committee and its staff and other appropriate committees in a timely manner?

We have been in the minority and we know how it feels, and they need to have the same respect as everybody else.

That is right. It could be a late night Sunday, but I know your wife is saying, he will do it.

If you are confirmed, you will oversee the protection of these treasures.

I want to say congratulations, Mr. Strickland, on this nomination.

I know we all agree that we live in a Nation blessed with spectacular public lands and a rich array of wildlife.

And we are going to ask our Members to submit questions by tomorrow morning, with responses due Monday.

One of the arguments I always make about preservation of our environment in California is that it is good for the economy.

But we will strike that off the record.

I am of a mind that pay as you go is really a good thing.

I think it has been very important. So thank you so much.

I am averse to raising the gas tax. But I have not signed a pledge, and that means I am willing to see what we have to do.