Political Quotes

“I suppose it's time to just finish up this debate, so I yield myself the balance of my time. A quick quote from Paul Thomsen of Ormat Technologies in committee representing the geothermal industry at the legislative hearing June 23, 2011: If we can get to an implementation that is consistent with what the current policy currently is, we would be very happy with that and I don't think this necessarily requires a total exemption from NEPA. Let it be that. We'll go on. They don't need an exemption. And it was just stated that if you've got an area, a resource area, what difference does it make if somebody drills within that area. I can tell you what difference it makes. In California, regarding the geysers--a huge resource, one of the very first in the United States--it makes a great deal of difference where somebody else drills in your neighborhood, because that drilling can dry up your resource. It is exceedingly important to understand the geology and understand the environmental risks associated with exploratory and then the development. No need for an exemption unless, of course, you want to, once again, nibble away at NEPA until it's not worth having at all, which apparently is the strategy we're seeing from this committee and these numerous amendments. I yield back the balance of my time.”