Mike Simpson

Finding a permanent solution to disposal of our nuclear waste has to be a critical part of our long term energy strategy.

Abandoning Yucca Mountain is not a solution to nuclear waste disposal.

Permanent disposal of high level nuclear waste has been an ongoing issue of this nation ever since World War II.

I want them to have that flexibility, but I also want them to be held accountable.

They are seeing their water bills go up 300, 400, 500 percent, and a lot of these are senior citizens on a fixed income.

If you are an Administration, you want the employees of that Administration singing what the Administration line is.

I have been talking with Earl Blumenauer about, it is time, quite frankly, in this country, for another Gallatin Commission.

It is such a huge problem, and such a huge backlog, that we do not know how to get our hands around it, quite frankly.

Does this cause your mountain bikers some heartburn?

But I notice that you say hike, paddle, climb, ski, snowshoe, mountain bike.

These types of things that are in Salmon, Idaho, it is a Smithsonian exhibit on fences

I do not think anybody with a right mind denies that there are global warming issues.

I just want to say thank you for holding these days of public testimony. I think they are important and I look forward to the testimony of the witnesses.

Mountain bike is not allowed in wilderness areas.

I do not want to see us in 10 years look back and say, man, we have spent a lot of money on this, and we have no coordination, and we got agencies all over the place.

Closing 47 of these sites is not in the best interest of Idaho or of the country quite frankly.

I just wanted to get it on the record.

We need a commonsense proposal to updating this mining law.

I am actually hopeful that future generations that aren't born yet will look back at us and say, 'Well done,' that we preserved these precious landscapes for them.

It is very clear that one of the most important roles the Department of the Interior will play in the coming years relates to securing our energy future.

I hope to cover a lot of ground with you today.

I really think the job you have is one of the most important jobs in government, quite frankly.

When you tick off people on all sides on a number of issues, that is usually a sign that you are doing a pretty good job.

I admire that and believe that you are setting an early tone that is balanced and reasonable.

We need a much broader policy and fix to this.