Jeanne Shaheen

I would like to echo Senator Blumenthal in thanking both you and Ranking Member Murkowski for convening the hearing today.

This has become a much more frequent occurrence and one in which, I think, we really need to look at how we can better prepare to respond to this.

I think collaboration is very important, but collaboration that does not include the programs that are making a difference for businesses does not have the same impact.

I cannot over-emphasize the importance of SBA programs in supporting small businesses in New Hampshire and helping particularly during the recent recession.

I was very pleased to see the President elevate the SBA Administrator to Cabinet level, and I think it is about time.

I share Senator Ayotte's concerns about what is happening at our four public shipyards.

There has been no support for MILCON projects in the 2013 budget request.

I would just ask if you would also commit to the shipyard modernization plan that is due back in Congress by September the 1st.

I share the concerns that have been expressed by my colleagues about proposing another round of BRAC closures as early as 2013.

I do think, as Senator Coons pointed out, that the public support for international assistance and our foreign aid budget... is not always that bipartisan and not always as robust.

Reducing our dependence on foreign oil is vital to our national defense, and that there is a direct correlation between our dependence on fossil fuels and casualties on the battlefield.

I want to follow up a little bit on that, the LEED certification and the actual efficiencies within buildings.

One of the questions we get a lot from businesses in our States is an opportunity to bid on government procurement.

I applaud the Naval personnel in Tidewater for making advances in energy innovation.

I do have a final question for you because in your testimony you talk about the education and training effort to change the culture around how energy is viewed within the Navy and the military.

You know, one of the things that I was really excited about in getting ready for today's hearing was to be able to learn more about the collaboration that's going on around the work that Navy and the military is doing with energy…

I want to just follow up on that a little bit because certainly I think we would agree that getting CBO to look at its scoring is very important as we think about how we can better encourage more energy efficient activities.

More efficient means of powering our ships helps save money leaving more money for other program platforms.

If we don't we put our military readiness, we put our national security and we put the lives of our sailors and Marines at risk.

Both the Navy and the Marine Corps have to use energy more efficiently.

There's no one that I respect more than John Warner.

We're delighted to be here aboard the USS Kearsarge at Naval Station Norfolk to discuss the Department of the Navy's ongoing work in energy efficiency and alternative energy.

But I would like to welcome all of you to this hearing of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water and Power.

Good afternoon, everyone. I will not bang the gavel because we don't know what that will mean.

I happen to support the belief that investing in women is one of our best development strategies if we are going to get the most out of our dollars.