John Hoeven

It is very important that we get a workable rule in place.

I want to begin by thanking you, Administrator Jackson, for your help with North Dakota's State Implementation Plan (SIP), in regard to regional haze.

Would you comment as to my point regarding the ambiguity and the vagueness and the problems it creates for industry if you say, well, it's this chemical.

We cannot produce oil and gas without hydraulic fracturing.

If we're going to empower industry, and if we're going to empower investment to produce more energy in this country and do it with good environmental stewardship, they need to know the rules of the road, and they need consistent…

We absolutely need to get EPA to work with the Tribe, listen to the Tribe and work with you on this minor source rule and the permitting process.

I think it is very important that there be a consultation.

Job creation is job one.

I think the best thing is for them to come up and sit down with you on the reservation to see what you are doing

If you don't do it, somebody from Texas will come up and do it for you.

But there's a big difference when it's hauled by rail which adds a significantly higher cost to it.

There's also the issue of Canada being the--having the third largest oil reserves in the country.

If we allow more access would that tend to help create more supply? Would that tend to reduce gas prices?

We're going to need to emphasize crop insurance.

Crop insurance is a partnership between the Government and farmers.

Crop insurance is going to be more important, in terms of a cost-effective safety net.

Clearly, we're not going to have direct payments.

I'm on the Agriculture subcommittee as well, and that's not the direction we're going.

I do want to emphasize those two programs to you, U.S. Wheat and Barley Scab Initiative, also, the Ug99 Barley Stem Rust Research Program, because both saw 30-percent reduction.

I know you and I share a common belief that blender pumps are a good thing, can help give consumers more choice, better pricing, help stimulate renewable fuel, production, and distribution.

Are you willing to encourage that potatoes be included with the WIC supplemental nutrition program?

I want to thank you for your help on the Water Bank Program, and your folks are working to implement it.

I think that it depends on the snapshot that you're taking with respect to when you're evaluating production on public land.

How would you work with the industry to increase development on Federal lands, public lands, deploy new technologies?

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.