Bill Johnson

Under the previous Administration, the national debt doubled in 10 years.

The economy is strong. The federal deficit continues to grow at an unsustainable rate.

Oh, no. No, it is a year later.

Yes, typically, the way that works is that you go to the Commission with a project. They approve it and they approve the rates that you would need to collect to recover it, yes.

Typically, you don't ever get what you ask for and you negotiate a solution over that period of time.

I believe in American ingenuity. And that's why we are here today.

I happen to believe, especially after our conversation today; it is more complicated than that.

Economywide, affordable, and driving innovation.

We have supported the California policy, which is to work out of using gas as a fossil fuel into the future; we have supported it in several instances where it made sense in new construction to ban gas.

The most important technology in the short term is materials that keep our conductors from sparking.

Anything that we can do to use energy smarter, more resiliently, to use less of it, because it is a precious resource.

We have been largely spared in Ohio from the devastation of wildfires, and I do share my colleagues' concern that something has to be done.

I think the states have to take their part in the forest management pieces of state lands.

I want to thank both committee chairs for holding this hearing today.

The essential problem for fire and electric equipment is a piece of vegetation hits the line. There is a spark. It causes a fire.

So, I think investment in those National Labs is a great idea in this space.

Absolutely, I do. We used to think about reliability all the time. I think now it is time to think about reliability and resilience as discrete things.

What role do you see energy storage and microgrids playing in making communities more resilient, reducing the amount of people affected by the PSPS program, and reducing the overall need for more transmission infrastructure?

Obviously, we are here to focus on the devastating effects of wildfires, but I think it is also a good opportunity to talk about the larger threat of climate change and the challenges it presents.

But I think the decision was a policy one based on the desire not to have nuclear in California.

California is an interesting place here. It is one percent of global emissions.

We believe that Congress can help reduce the wildfire threat and increase overall grid and climate resilience.

I believe Congress should embrace biennial budgeting, and prepare a budget every two years, rather than every year.

I am deeply concerned by the premise that stability requires significant increases in federal spending or federal funding.

This is a sad day for America. This partisan impeachment sham seeks to disenfranchise 63 million American voters. I want to use my time to call on this Chamber, for Members to rise and observe a moment of silent reflection, to give every…