Mark Udall

Secretary Hammack, please provide an update on the status of the environmental assessment for the Pinon Canyon Training Site in Colorado.

The Navy will achieve energy security by utilizing sustainable non-food feedstock sources that meet force sustainment functions.

The President set forth a bold energy agenda and DOD, like other departments and agencies, is working aggressively to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels.

What DOD is doing in terms of energy efficiency, biofuels, and other energy-related programs is a model for the Federal Government and society as a whole.

True energy security for U.S. bases cannot be realized as long as the supply of electricity to key systems and operations would be disrupted.

Our testing and training footprint for new weapon systems continues to increase.

The REPI is a highly effective and cost-efficient tool to help us meet that commitment.

How important are programs like the Readiness and Environmental Protection Initiative (REPI) in protecting our bases and ranges now and into the future?

I think there's a feeling that we're kind of in an, maybe not to put it too dramatically, emergency situation.

I look forward to working closely with the Senator to advocate for an office in Denver. I think a Western office will go a long way toward ensuring the success of our patent system.

In March 2011, Senator Mark Udall of Colorado introduced bipartisan legislation, the Small Business Lending Enhancement Act (S.509), which would raise the arbitrary credit union member business lending cap to 27.5 percent of total assets.

We have vulnerabilities. We have significant new capacities, and these capacities have taken on real importance for our warfighters and our security.

I want to make sure we defend those assets.

Digital, baby, digital

Is such a project scaleable to other FOBs as well?

One challenge we face is how to rapidly transition new capabilities to our Operating Forces, and ultimately into fully supported programs of record.

The ExFOB capabilities we have evaluated in Afghanistan have helped our marines operate lighter, with less reliance on resupply.

My opinion is--and I have heard this from the military leadership in our country and the civilian leadership--that the way home is through a political process and political solution, ultimately.

The reconciliation process has to be a process that is owned by the Afghans because they are the ones who have to reconcile.

The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2011 requires the President to provide an economic strategy for Afghanistan

Our advice and encouragement may hold more weight in this region and other regions of the world, as those leaders and those countries look at the example of Egypt and Tunisia, perhaps others.

I think the United States has pretty consistently, primarily privately but also publicly, encouraged these regimes for years to undertake political and economic reform.

I think you both know that the NDAA for Fiscal Year 2011 required the President...to provide an economic strategy for Afghanistan.

I'm also very pleased to hear that you and Secretary Salazar are working together to make sure that we can deploy renewable energy on our public lands in an appropriate way.

I look forward to working with you.