Jeff Bingaman

S. 3452 eliminates the shortcomings and deficiencies of the original 2000 Act that created the Valles Caldera National Preserve.

The bold experiment has not been successful.

Thank you for reconsidering several bills that were placed on the Senate Calendar but not given the opportunity for a vote.

My hope was in my discussions with Senator Murkowski were that this hearing would be a chance to identify any bills that needed additional hearings.

The Valles Caldera was nationally significant, suitable and feasible for designation as a unit of the National Park System.

Chairman Bingaman and other Senators on this Committee should be commended for their work on enacting Section 215 and other efforts to ensure the reliability of the electric grid.

Preserving and enhancing the cyber security of our electric infrastructure must be among our top priorities.

The safety of the North American power system is critical to the Nation's economy and to our security.

I do not believe that the existing suite of reliability standards and the process for developing them is sufficient to defend electric infrastructure against deliberate cyber attacks.

I do think in some fashion at some point, sooner rather than later, we've got to put a price on carbon emissions.

This legislation has been in development for several years now.

The high capital requirements coupled with the unavailability of affordable financing have generally steered investments toward largely proven technologies.

I am, to be honest, frustrated with the Obama administration not stepping up in support of CEDA as a complement to the clean energy standard.

The problems of bringing new energy technologies to the commercial marketplace have been documented for a long time.

I would be remiss if I did not take this opportunity to thank Senator Bingaman for his continued assistance in helping to improve the state and its water users' ability to manage water resources both in times of drought and in times of…

Thank you Chairman Bingaman and Ranking Member Murkowski for this opportunity to address the issue of water and climate in New Mexico.

Thank you Chairman Bingaman and colleagues for giving me the opportunity to discuss climate and water issues with you.

The hearing will focus on two related subjects.

The majority of the State is experiencing a severe drought that has impacted irrigation and municipal and environmental water supplies.

Chairman Bingaman and Ranking Member Murkowski, you have made clear your commitment to the hardworking men and woman across America who are today's newest energy producers.

I believe the most effective way to limit environmentally destructive land-use change elsewhere is through land use policies.

The continued commitment of the 112th Congress, this Committee, and the enactment of legislation such as S. 187 will all contribute to ensuring America's future energy security.

Let me close by repeating my belief that biofuels have been--and will continue to be--our most important supply-side strategy for reducing dependence on imported oil.

I think we need to restart that effort and move ahead again on cellulosic ethanol.

In my view the key to making our economy less vulnerable to oil price increases is to use less oil.