Jim Inhofe

We have no choice but to increase nuclear capacity.

I think it is a tragedy in a carbon constrained environment to have nuclear plants closing that are producing carbon free power.

I have been a strong supporter of nuclear energy since I became Chair of this subcommittee almost 20 years ago.

Advanced reactor innovators must have an efficient regulatory process at the Nuclear Regulatory Commission in order to bring these new technologies into operation.

Oversight is important. Do you think since that time we have slipped a little and need to become a bit more forceful in overseeing the NRC?

Innovation has come to the nuclear industry. There are many new companies, nuclear 'startups,' in fact, that are pursuing concepts that advance safety, security, and efficiency.

The interesting thing about this is there are those on your side whose lives are driven by climate change and those on this side who are realists, but we still agree on this bill.

Our bill directs NRC to develop 'technology inclusive' regulatory processes in an effort to enable the growth of the new, exciting industry.

How do I go back to Oklahomans and ask them to spend money for a new feasibility study when we have gone through all of this?

I remind you and everyone else who is here that next week Senator Boxer and I plan to go ahead and start the markup of the WRDA bill.

Meeting will come to order. We apologize for being a few minutes late. We had a vote at 10 o'clock.

The timing is right, we are getting into our WRDA bill. That is what this is all about, and it has been a problem in my State for a long time.

Let me just restate that in Oklahoma the legislative goal for chloride control is to reduce the naturally occurring chlorides in the Red River.

One thing, Senator Boxer, that neither one of us mentioned is the significance of the water in terms of our military.

Drought conditions have affected and still affect many regions of the country.

Well, Mr. Dalton, we will submit a question for the record to get new details on how to make chloride control construction a reality in our Area 6 that we are so concerned about.

We have three witnesses. Mr. Denis Bilodeau, First Vice President and Director of the Orange County Water District, as Senator Boxer said.

My view as a United States Senator is I do not take sides between the jobs in the fishing industry and the jobs in agriculture; they are all jobs.

More than 60 percent of Oklahoma was in the U.S. Drought Monitor's 'extreme' category.

For the vast majority of the past 6 years, Oklahoma suffered from a devastating drought event.

I stand with the American people against this right-wing rhetoric, and it is just ridiculous...

Well, this is not every other committee. What I will do, we will certainly, if Senator Boxer wants to have an additional 3 minutes or something like that, I could yield mine to you.

Madam Administrator, we are adjourned.

Is that reasonable or is that unreasonable?

The Supreme Court has stayed the Clean Power Plan--the centerpiece of the President's climate legacy--over questions the EPA exceeded the limits of its authority under the Clean Air Act.