We have been embarking upon a policy of prohibiting development of our energy reserves to the point where they have become scarce.

How do we lessen our dependence on foreign oil by prohibiting the development of our domestic supplies?

Proportionally, the drilling footprint on ANWR would be as a postage stamp is to an entire football field.

We have not passed a budget in the Senate in nearly three years.

So the process is at least a year now, or two years from our current experience.

I would hope this common-sense legislation aimed at eliminating bureaucratic red tape would garner strong bipartisan support, much like H.R. 795.

I was proud to join Mr. Tipton on this bill.

The principal focus of today's hearing is to examine obstacles that the federal government has placed in the way of developing clean, cheap, abundant and reliable hydropower.

Here is the concern that I would like to express, not with respect to this bill, but with respect to this Administration's priorities.

This bill authorizes more hydropower development at federal canals and pipelines, eliminates unnecessary paperwork associated with the National Environmental Policy Act while allowing for environmental protection.

I appreciate Chairman McClintock's commitment to examining and ultimately pushing an aggressive legislative agenda.

the principal focus of today's hearing is to examine obstacles that the Federal Government has placed in the way of developing clean, cheap, abundant, and reliable hydropower through small generators on existing canals and pipelines.