I'd like to briefly comment on S. 1787, which is a bill I introduced to reauthorize the Federal Land Transaction Facilitation Act.

We appreciate the opportunity to comment on S. 1470 and while we do not support the designation of additional Wilderness in Montana, we do appreciate to opportunity to be involved in the discussion and the democratic process.

We believe gridlock has plagued proper forest management for many years resulting in the forest service not being able to properly manage our public forests.

The administration strongly supports S. 1787 and encourages Congress to move swiftly to reauthorize the Federal Land Transaction Facilitation Act.

I wanted to commend him - and Senator Baucus who is a cosponsor of the bill - for working so hard to try and resolve many longstanding contentious forest management and wilderness issues.

It's going to take nuclear to do it.

I can say confidently that the Bingaman/Murkowski/Udall legislation represents a strong foundational effort to augment the Federal Government's role in U.S. modular reactor development in a way that furthers our environmental, foreign…

Also, S. 2812, the Nuclear Power 2021 Act, that's a bill that I introduced with Senator Murkowski and Senator Udall and Senator Pryor as co-sponsors.

Your recent sponsorship of the Nuclear Power 2021 Act, and the hearing you will hold on December 15 regarding S.2052 and S.2812, are important milestones for a technology that offers emissions-free, safe and economical energy.

Thank you and your colleague from Colorado, Senator Mark Udall, for your leadership in encouraging the development of modular, scalable nuclear reactor technology in the United States.

I applaud your efforts associated with the Senate Energy and Natural Resource Committee hearing on Small Modular Reactors.

Today's hearing is to receive testimony on 2 bills, S. 2052, the new Nuclear Energy Research Initiative Improvement Act which Senator Udall is the prime sponsor.