Dennis Kucinich

One of Congress's main goals in creating the 1705 loan guarantee program was to spur technological advances in renewable energy technology.

The Majority has documented that Prologis's Project AMP has yet to start generating solar energy.

Because otherwise you would be stuck with a white elephant.

I think that this Committee could be ever more effective in its work if we were to have Goldman Sachs and Bank of America here to answer questions about their involvement.

But the risk was low, is that what you are saying?

So several very large companies participated in projects that received DOE loan guarantees and, unfortunately, the Committee's investigation is not asked many of them about their involvement.

Although members of Congress from both parties have supported 1705 loan guarantees for projects in their districts, it now appears that some of my friends in the Majority have had a change of heart.

The system is rotten; it is up for sale, and the unfortunate assumption or the assumption that occurs about this unfortunate nexus between money and power is inarguable.

Ultimately, today's hearing gets to the core of the problem with government pretending that it can be a venture capitalist.

I demand a recorded vote. The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to clause 6 of rule XVIII, further proceedings on the amendment offered by the gentleman from Ohio will be postponed. Amendment Offered by Mrs. Blackburn

I have an amendment at the desk. The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will report the amendment. The Clerk read as follows: At the end of the bill (before the short title), insert the following: Sec. __. None of the funds made available under this…

There couldn't be a more profound philosophical difference in our approach in this Congress to the subject.

I believe most Americans will reject it.

The idea that we don't need any regulation at the Federal level at all, especially on something as potentially serious to environmental safety and human health as fracturing, is a notion I reject.

I thank the Chair. I am prepared to close. How much time do I have remaining, please? The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman from Ohio has 1\1/2\ minutes remaining.

As a matter of procedure, who has the right to close, the sponsor of an amendment or the opponent of an amendment? The Acting CHAIR. A manager of a measure who opposes an amendment thereto has the right to close.

Imagine if we took a fraction of the trillions of dollars we've spent for war and used it to deal directly with the root causes of domestic violence--spousal abuse, child abuse, violence in the schools, gang violence, gun violence, racial…

This comes up with a new aphorism, that familiarity breeds investigation.

Also, Darby at PG&E talked directly to Obama about the program's challenges and the bad situation it puts him in.

I think we actually have a system here that is trying to work and we should stop beating each other up on it.

I don't really think that-- so you think they were awarded on the merits, Mr. Witsoe?

Now, members of Congress, including members of this Committee, have sent nearly 500 letters to Secretary Chu in support of green technology projects in their districts.

Do you believe First Solar's political connection had any bearing on the application process?

Isn't it also the case that securing a purchaser of the energy to be produced at your project was imperative to DOE's evaluation of BrightSource's loan guarantee application?

I would also ask any member of the Committee wants to join me on H. J. Res. 100, which would end all corporate contributions.