In 1932, Justice Louis Brandeis popularized the idea that States are the laboratories of democracy.

it fuels more than $3 billion in annual spending on wildlife-related recreation.

Colorado's governor, John Hickenlooper, actually knows his father.

Increased regulation does not necessarily result in a decline in production activities.

What we're trying to do is create a national model for how do we regulate gas extraction.

I'm sure you senators all know this, but there's no one who's climbed more mountains, I mean real mountains, in terms of their life and at the same time recognizes and tries to balance the needs of our communities for jobs and commerce so…

Thank you for allowing us this opportunity.

In Colorado, we believe that we can best ensure our natural resources and environment are protected, while fostering the responsible development of oil and gas resources.

As long as we can maintain a focus on science-based applications and make sure we have the competing interest at the table, I think that we'll be able to continue the pursuit of these innovations.

I think ultimately we will get to that Federal regulation.

We are on target to be a net exporter of natural gas by 2020.

I think what would happen Federal regulations would probably be modeled after a group of States.

I commend him for building an energy policy for the State of Colorado that he said is really about developing all-of-the-above.

We are half way toward compliance, and we have reduced our carbon emissions in the United States more than all that other signatories to the Kyoto Protocols.

Last week, I sent a letter to the Secretary of the Interior and to the White House encouraging the Administration to issue a strong regulation for hydraulic fracturing on Federal lands.

We don't believe there is no role for the federal government, but, on balance, we believe the states are better positioned to regulate effectively.

Gov. Mary Fallin of Oklahoma and I are leading a bipartisan effort to promote the use of natural gas as a transportation fuel for state vehicles.

Let's see if there is an economic and environmental sweet spot where U.S. gas producers can make enough money to continue producing.

Recently, BLM announced that it would be issuing a new version of a proposed rule regulating hydraulic fracturing on Federal lands.

I think our future is more secure with energy that's renewable, that's sustainable.

the Persian Gulf is more volatile than ever, and we see our national security--40 years after our first energy crisis, the oil is controlled by unfriendly regimes in many cases.

We are increasing our national security, and we are dramatically reducing ground--greenhouse gas emissions.

Responsible development of natural gas--the subject of this hearing--is fundamental to a successful energy strategy.

I think it will prove to be the transition energy that will allow us eventually to get to a fully renewable energy environment.

We should--all of us--no matter our perspective or experience--disenthrall ourselves from bias and ideology to find a new path forward.