Ken Salazar

Alaska is a world unto itself, very different situation than when you look at the lower 48.

I agree with you, Mr. Chairman.

Can we be 100-percent safe that something is not going to happen? No.

I will do everything to get the study sprung.

By investing in our parks and promoting them to visitors, especially internationally, we can have the dual benefit of an improved National Park System and a stronger economy that produces more jobs.

When you think about the public lands being leased out at $1.35 an AUM, adding the $1 administrative fee at $2.35 still gives a tremendous benefit and advantage to part of the heritage of this country, which is the ranching heritage of…

The fiscal year 2012 appropriations process was challenging for the Congress and the agencies--it required a coming together of diverse philosophies and views.

The President was very clear in asking for the authority to be able to reorganize the Government.

I have, from day one as Secretary of the Interior, thought that Atlantic wind was one of the most promising renewable energy programs for the United States of America.

We appreciate the support of this subcommittee for our priorities including the America's Great Outdoors Initiative.

I would be delighted to have those conversations with you and members of the subcommittee because we are doing everything we can.

We have a tremendous opportunity to invest in America's energy independence and economic growth.

It honors our important responsibilities to the 566 tribes and Alaskan natives of the United States of America.

I think the bottom line that we should all be very proud of is the fact that we have been able to develop our domestic resources in a very robust way.

It is part of our tourism and job creation strategy that comes through conservation.

the principle that we have followed, and we will follow in looking at these royalty rates, including the onshore royalty rates, is the principle of the fair return to the taxpayers.

Not cuts that I would like to see, frankly, but given the tough budget times, these are things that we've had to do.

I think you have your finger on what is one of the most important issues for us in 11 States in the West.

That's been a broken promise to America.

It's job creation and energy, both in the conventional energy, as well as renewable energy.

When I look at the oil shale potential of your State, Wyoming, and Colorado, I think there is potential there, but we need to move forward with answers to some very tough questions.

I see it as a squeeze budget, with some tough choices and some very painful cuts.

We continue to believe it's very important that we have in the law the authority for the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management to have a safety institute.

I think with respect to all of our permitting programs, including many in your State, both on mining and renewable energy, and transmission, and so many other things, mitigation is part of the package.

This budget foresees that there will be a downsizing of an additional 591 FTE within the Department of the Interior.