Political Quotes

“A lot of what we hear is is that our constituents wish that we would work together more often, and I thank the gentlewoman for her comments and her support; and I think it is just proof that we can work together for something that we agree on, which is clean power, the power to just power our future, and that comes from hydroelectricity. I don't know why it is not as sexy as it should be. I think it is one of the greatest marvels of technology starting back since the beginning of time and when power was first generated, and I don't understand why we don't rely on it more. To that end, literally 60,000 megawatts of preliminary permits and projects await final approval and are pending before FERC in 45 States right now. Eighty thousand--80,000--nonpowered dams in the United States, of which 600 have immediate hydro capability, right now could be producing energy. Mr. Chair, 80,000 nonpowered dams in the United States, just think about that. And the State I hail from and I am privileged to represent a portion of, Pennsylvania, has 678 megawatts of untapped hydropower right now. Mr. Chairman, I would just urge all of our colleagues to vote for this amendment. I, again, appreciate the chairmen of the committee and of the subcommittee for this opportunity, and I yield back the balance of my time.”