Natural gas is clean burning and is domestically abundant.

I have stated many times in this committee that Idaho is a leader in clean energy and that I am proud of Idaho's record in this area.

Increased offshore energy production would support 1.2 million jobs annually.

Development of clean energies is an important investment in Idaho's energy future and in job creation.

We do need to diversify. We do need to move away from our heavy dependence on petroleum.

Development of clean energy is an important investment in Idaho's energy future and in job creation.

We should be careful not to construct a national energy policy that produces this kind of return on investment.

We should be looking more seriously at nuclear as an emission-free source of energy and job creation.

I have introduced a bill that would ensure that algae-based biofuels have the same tax treatment that cellulosic biofuels currently enjoy.

I have become increasingly concerned that the costs of cap-and-trade will outweigh the benefits to foresters and farmers.

I see if we do nothing a future where a bunch of tyrants who don't like us have their foot on our throat.

I share the concerns of my colleagues about the impact of the cap-and-trade legislation on agriculture and forestry.

I do have the strong concerns that I indicated about whether this legislation will, in the end, result in a higher cost, rather than a benefit to the agriculture and forestry industries.

We cannot go with business as usual, America is losing jobs.

I think we have to look at the issues of projects like afforestation and reforestation and avoid the deforestation of forests across America.

I look forward to the testimony that is going to be provided today.

For many in agriculture and forestry, carbon offsets represent opportunities to obtain more value out of the land and new land management technologies.

this is a very, very critical issue in I think probably all 50 States where we face the question of what kind of management we need to undertake to effectively deal with invasive species.

Many community banks and credit unions have tried to fill the lending gap in rural communities caused by the credit crisis.

One of the more difficult challenges will be to find the right balance between protecting consumers from abusive products and practices while promoting responsible lending to spur economic growth.

I want to commend all of our witnesses for very capably explaining the important role that community banks play in our rural communities as well as throughout our economy.

We have abundant, affordable, reliable American energy. Let us use it rather than having a policy that means less affordable American energy.

I would hope that you would provide some written answers, perhaps, following this hearing on this.

I do not think there is much debate among any of us here, on either side of the aisle, that our Nation is far too dependent on petroleum and carbon-based resources for our energy.

But is there any reason why we should not count nuclear power in the base for those calculations?