Today's hearing is another step by this Committee to restore the promise of hydropower, a renewable, emissions-free, and low-cost source of energy.

Regrettably, what I just said is not hyperbole. It is happening. It is a reality. And I think it is unacceptable.

Despite their success, hydropower is under assault from those bent on litigation and over-regulation.

It is hard to know where to start as I close the debate on this portion of the bill because there's been so much information out there and so much information that, frankly, I won't say it's untrue, but it's not exactly accurate. Let me…

I am very pleased to yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Georgia, Dr. Gingrey, a member of the Energy and Commerce Committee.

I have an amendment at the desk. The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment. The text of the amendment is as follows: Page 3, line 1, insert ``OIL AND GAS EXPLORATION, DEVELOPMENT, AND PRODUCTION'' after ``DOMESTIC''. Page 5…

I am pleased to yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Tipton), an author of one of the provisions of the bill.

I advise my friend that I have no more requests for time, and I am prepared to close if the gentleman is prepared to close.

Could I inquire how much time remains on both sides? The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman from Washington has 2 minutes. The gentleman from New Jersey has 30 seconds.

I think the gentleman has a very good lease. And I've been talking about where Virginia has been shortchanged, from my point of view. I think this amendment goes a long way to advance that debate, and, actually, what we all want is the…

I yield myself the balance of my time. The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman is recognized for 7 minutes.

I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chairman, developing our Nation's Outer Continental Shelf is all about achieving a balance. The Federal agencies involved have to balance the needs of the coastal community and the environment…

With that, then, Mr. Chairman, the arguments have been made. I urge rejection of this amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time. The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the gentleman from Illinois (Mr…

I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chairman, we've heard this argument and this debate and this issue before. This is nothing but a recycled version of the old use-it- or-lose-it argument that we've heard so many times, but…

I am pleased to yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Gardner).

I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chairman, the legislation that we are debating and considering today is a clear all-of-the-above plan to increase American energy production, to lower gasoline prices, and to reduce our…

I yield myself the balance of the time. Mr. Chairman, once again, to repeat, the nature of the lease sales that companies enter into is ``use it or lose it'' because if they don't, within the time period of that lease, utilize that for…

I yield myself as much time as I may consume. Mr. Chairman, I just want to clarify something. Absolutely nothing in this legislation, or this entire legislation, takes away the right of people to protest or petition for the redress of…

I yield myself the balance of the time. Mr. Chairman, I want to point out this poster behind me. I know one can't read all of the details here, but this is the process by which somebody goes through a lease process to try to develop some…

I am very pleased to yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Roe).

I thank the gentleman for yielding. I think you have a very good amendment, and I support that amendment. I thank the gentleman for bringing it to the floor.

I am very pleased to yield 3 minutes to another member of the Natural Resources Committee, the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Johnson).

I yield myself as much time as I may consume. Mr. Chairman, I'm afraid from at least my reading of the amendment that this displays a lack of understanding regarding existing Federal laws and the realities of the oil and natural gas…

I thank the gentleman for yielding. I think the gentleman has a good amendment. As he pointed out, it already has passed on a bipartisan basis on the floor, and I think it's worthy to be passed in this instance. I support the amendment.

I yield myself the balance of my time. First, I will urge people to reject the Markey amendment. Now I made an observation. And maybe somebody is saying, Boy, you are really stretching it if you are going to byproducts. And I referenced…