Bill Flores

Administrator Pruitt, thank you for joining us today. Let me start by echoing Chairman Shimkus' comments regarding the Renewable Fuel Standard.

I request that the Agency work with Congress, particularly Chairman Shimkus, Mr. Welch, and me as we try to develop interim and long-term solutions.

So I think you and I both agree that the American people deserve to see that science. It shouldn't be hidden as it was hidden in the prior administration.

I would like to respectfully remind the EPA that administrative actions prior to that time are limited by statute.

It seems to me like folks ought to pay for their fair share.

For the folks that are not in this hearing room, I think it is probably good that we sort of tell everybody how the numbers we are talking about today fit the numbers they say on the pump.

I mean, we have had some panelists ask for midblends, E20, E30, higher blends like that. There is a huge consumer cost to that, if we do that, though.

by going to a performance standard, everybody wins: the environment, our consumers, our auto manufacturers, our ethanol constituents, including the advanced and conventional folks, our marketers, retailers, refiners. Everybody wins.

Mr. Columbus, what are the challenges of having an ethanol blend above E15?

But, Mr. Columbus, what are the challenges of having an ethanol blend above E15?

The activities of Facebook and other technology companies should not surprise us.

The good news is I was able to work with Facebook's personnel and get her reinstated.

I think that the individual owns the virtual person that they have set up online.

I believe that if Congress enacts privacy standards for technology providers, just as we have for financial institutions...

The days of the long, scrolling, fine-print disclosures with a single checkmark at the bottom should end.

Earlier this Congress, I introduced Jessie's Law with Congresswoman Debbie Dingell in an effort to try to find a solution...

Unfortunately, once again, the NRC budget zeroes out this critical program.

My expectation is that Congress will continue to fund that program because, as you have stated, we've had good results in terms of an advanced nuclear workforce.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I would love to have 10 minutes because this has been a fascinating discussion.

I thank the gentleman for yielding to me. Today, I rise with my fellow Texas colleagues to share some examples of how the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act is helping hardworking Texans and their families. Our bold progrowth tax reform bill was signed…

Are you concerned about what they are going to think about the nuclear industry moving forward in light of its state today?

I believe there is great potential when we look at the opportunities for small modular reactors, and also with innovative next gen designs that have been developed thus far.

Without those plants I mean there is no school system, no police. You are exactly right. There is no community.

We do believe it is a very important issue. It is a supply chain issue. It is an energy security supply issue.

To the extent that you need additional support from Congress to--if there is something Congress has done that has created that, then let us know and we will try to help fix that.