Transcripts For CSPAN2 Energy Secretary Nominee Rick Perry Testifies At Confirmation Hearing 20170124

[inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] cement the will to lead but to the next cabinet lovell, bernie confirmation been delayed to start by thinking the senior senator from texas to be fair to speak on behalf of the nominees. Also the fellow Committee Member from West Virginia prepared to offer introductory remarks for a a warm welcome to you and your family your willingness to become our next secretary of energy for. I enjoyed flu at federal of learning more about your leadership in texas and your accomplishments in the area of energy and environment. I love riffled will withhold any comments texas side is verses alaska size and i won. [laughter] we know you lars seeking half to lead had an interesting and critical time helping to make our nation a Global Leader of research and development encouraging scientific exploration to foster innovation. And with those laboratories but the greatest asset those that dedicate not just to their careers to those toughest challenges that face of world and if you are concerned u. N. Take a broad view and continue to pursue those significant benefits and done right a good set of innovation policies will provide more energy, reduce what we use and low were the cost repay. In my view those are the Guiding Principles for the department. Moving to increase access to make energy more affordable and continue to improve environmental goals. There are a set of principles affordable there is no acronym by some that up in one Bumper Sticker that says energy is good and i hope that you believe as well. If these are your goals than we can greatly contribute to the prosperity to the standard of living and the health of our planet for falls into fresh turf for the department of energy steps up for energies of fife pdf regardless of the consequences with the management with thousands of employees or contractors. I do not subscribe to the view only a scientist can manage other scientist but we each need a manager to manage them that technologists maybe i dont know everything but is capable to organize, set direction, and make the greatest possible use of taxpayer dollars to reach goals. Governor perry as a long this serving governor you have experience to lead a very sophisticated enterprise berger i do believe that will serve you well ill look 42 how you carry that over to the department. Also in to make Good Progress that have historical the frustrated the department but recognize there is more that could be done. To utilize limited resources with unnecessary duplication. I know you made a commitment to travel to my state and as you have visited two other members to make similar commandments but i do appreciate your willingness to see my home state first and what all the department of interior makes the Headlines Department of energy is very important and the best three key ways i can point out is what i can do to reduce i energy cost in the state of alaska. It is the greatest challenge in our rule Community Many communities are relying on diesel. Many small interior communities that our inaccessible by road to get a barge twice per year they could have fuel prices at nine return dollars a gallon. That is roughly fulfill we have been here 1,000 years but they leave the villages but that is not the right choice. Our challenge should be to help them find those solutions. This is where we could offer opportunity because we have been innovative and we have a lot to share with the of rest of the country how we can find energy solutions. With more artur talk about than anywhere else in the country. So use that expertise i think there are some great opportunities natalies and alaska and around the country to coproduce energy cost and it could be that proving ground but if you have new technologies that make sense we can pretty much guarantee it will make sense in alaska and we are the beneficiary want to see the department make of much greater effort the second way is to bring the natural gas to market. It granted a conditional export license but we have to continue receiving good support for if the project will succeed. Finally to help commercialize more of the vast Resource Base fossil energy focuses almost exclusively on the environmental aspects of fuels but the mission is to be broader than that with Competitive Research on resources leading to new breakthroughs with our security long into the future. But this committee has a reputation we have along with our colleagues been able to move of ball for word and we have been able to do that in part to have a good positive relationship with the current secretary of energy. I do think he has done well and i did not always agree with him coming it was a working relationship that was solid so with that respect working with us to make yourself available for to keep in contact for stay in touch if you can do that you are on the right track and we will Work Together to maintain energy leadership. Thanks for your being here and your willingness to serve now i turn to the Ranking Member. Welcome to your family congratulations on your nomination. And casey may have forgotten you once called for the abolishment of this agency. I suspect that now having a chance to learn about the importance of of this department you have a very different opinion. As the chair pointed out plays an essential goal to protect National Security security, energy and Environmental Security and of why did rajiv mission with those efforts and to help us when the cold war. It is important we talk about the steadfast determination of cleanup for also threats as National Security evolves as the review was done by be obama secretary Emergency Responses are critical. Just as the advanced Research Agency helped us it is just time to help us of the of wired economy of the future to make sure it is well protected it is the job of the next Energy Secretary to maintain the achievements of the past 20 years of the competitive global marketplace to protect the grand from these growing threats of cybersecurity. Beating our lab is a critical aspect of the of leadership and is paramount today is our job to consider how well you will do that job. I am deeply concerned what you have said in the past about Climate Science. Believe it is the consensus that clementine is real and happening now due to human activity. Yesterday nasa announced 46 scene was the warmest year on record for in the arctic were warming is happening faster any place on earth the melting devices that the of 55. Off because the department if energy does the research fell off. So Climate Science is not just something the department of energy in the partners are doing but people understand what we need the information for important decisions the nature and pace have serious impacts for our department of defense to stand up in the arctic. We are an articulation and that means this will be coveted by many nations. The shipping lanes, a trade routes will be central. As a senator could tell you deification for our communities and way of life is impacted. For in my state the fisheries and shellfish was almost devastated by Ocean Acidification so the scientific hp is key to wonder standing the trend so i hope you can understand there is widespread anxiety about the president elect faugh to starve these resources. We hope and governor perry will be someone who understands and believes in the Science Mission of this agency and will lead to the best of your abilities. Mission innovation that is the priority and continuing to move forward is critically important almost 2 million americans work in Energy Efficiency alone driving double digit savings by these advancements the review estimates we need 1. 5 million of new energy jobs by 2030 which is greeted modernization and energy related. But we have seen through the innovation 1 2 half of privatesector individuals cost of fertility solar has dropped 64 that leads all forms of energy refute capacity. Energy efficiency in buildings give back billions in savings were the 115,000 electric vehicles were sold bubbling 2012. And to bring down the cost through batter research on battery technology. These innovations rely on those investments from the department of energy so the choice before us in my opinion is pretty clear. The trump the administration can claim to the fossil fuel industry of the pasteur lead on ecovation of the of the technologies in the world to put us in a clear leadership position. I hope you understand it is so important to. Also the of mission of Nuclear Waste cleanup the science and technology that hinges on our ability to protect us against nonproliferation. At mentioned earlier it could not be more clear on the urgency of cyber cybersecurity. Of the secretary of energy needs to take very seriously the threat to this nation of our electricity grid. Erp coming off a wired economy our offensive to less fadeyev night if they developing new technology and they deserve a president and other key secretary to will take the threats of russian hacking seriously to defend us. Pecan go into more detail about this in the questions but i want to make sure you understand how the current secretary is leaving you with a road map by hope you take that to provide the leadership we need to stop the vulnerabilities against something so important as protecting the innovation economy by foreign entities. On behalf of the 15,000 washington and workers i hope you will take what we said very seriously and afford to ask depressions and fat one negative congratulations for being agency faugh. At this time we will ask senator to provide his introduction of the nominee and once completed we will proceed to hear from governor perry. To the chairman and Ranking Member and colleagues, thanks for holding this hearing and nomination of my friend governor perry to be secretary of the department of energy and i have the opportunity to introduce stiffer. I also want to introduce his wife to in is here today and his extended family including his adopted family with him today and he can introduce them cut. My wife and i got to know him if his wife when we ran for state wide office in 1990 half. He served in the air force and the legislature before being deflected as agriculture commissioner of texas and was flooded to Texas Supreme Court the same year the inflator please assume the office of governor of the state of tough texas along the serving governor in our state. Serving in Public Office give you a chance to assess their character and fidelitys. I know governor perry to be a tremendous leader of the highest falloff comment dement tremendous Public Servant will fluff on behalf of the nation. Rick perry is not a status quo he is a leader, innovator, texans by nature are practical fluff looking for some khrushchev solutions and i believe the results of state for themselves. We have them blessed by his leadership the state thrived even as the country languished. Faugh put job procrastination 2007 for 24 nerc fob five negative 45 loss of life was the top exporting fief in the country. The fine for a profit flourish even more to brag about. Put the real leader is tested in hardship and trial flat wildfires or hurricanes where the explosions of less typhus fertilizer west texas fertilizer plant he could rise to the occasion to be flagella shot. On top of that he has a track preferred the success of the landscape that is from uh will and Gas Industries could food fair the food typify all of the above Energy Strategy for revolutionize production for but produces more wind energy than any other state in the country. Solar energy has continued to grow and texas is a National Leader as wall n making energy more affordable for texas families. He did not fall into that trap when we talk about energy. He found a way to spur innovation without stifling existing technology in reducing the state Carbon Footprint as well. Those Guiding Principles are smart regulation regulation, encouraging innovation and creating a climate that grows every aspect and continues to serve the state well. Fifteen have no doubt will put forward to spawn the next great era of American Energy. He has a track record and the knowhow to export to enhance security of friends and allies abroad. Feel simply the right man for the job and it is an honor to support his nomination to be the third texan to head the department of energy for. The Ranking Member and mcauliffe and governor perry and his love life and their daughter and extended family. I know you might think it is interesting i am sitting here for the of laugh to fly a former wife a will forward a friendship id like any other official we travel, we Work Together and have the same problem education education, disaster be call each other all the time. I am here to support my friend so we do develop friendships. And also senator rick dodge for the longest serving governor in the history of texas and is uniquely qualified to hold this position. We have been friends and i know he anders stands how to work across the aisle to get things done i have seen that person and. I was honored to call him my colleague as they become part of your family and with my tenure as governor of west region yeah. In the year 2005 the weekend of Hurricane Katrina faugh weaver at a southern governors conference. I have not met him before but we meet tour three times per year and the governor from louisiana could not be there because she was told for the hurricane would have a devastating impact on her staff. The roof talking and watching with different fashions you want to take to protect your citizens. He had to get back and i had to get back on the last day i said do you think it will affect you put c. Said edges talk to overflow in tax this free facilities baird. Despaired the fed had a lot madoff wafer office of the devastation those that flu flu texas fever overruff in did not have the support from the floor reading for someone to direct deaths the week took initiative were all flanders and chief vice said what can be duplex we sent over 1200 soldiers up to help them to move supplies and move people out they have nowhere to go for the West Virginia and a collaboration how government should work and how we should Work Together for felt for watching any tough defending fallen into step the fan food fit deal reached out to help. His managerial skills on display. We did not know you have to get up to speed quick. Nobody gave us some manual so i have no doubt that rick will not only do the job but excel. With the texas Energy Portfolio the number one producer to be heavy lifting to do the heavy work to provide for this country he does have that tenacity if fletcher of gas and electricity and from the campaign trail the air quality significantly improves like nitrogen oxide to spike population growth than he can talk about that he cultivated wind energy that is now the leader and coming on strong. I believe he possesses all of the above. With that, im proud to support my friend, my colleague. We appreciate the comments from both of you gentlemen. Thank you for providing this introduction. At this time i would ask you to please come forward. Before asking for the Opening Statement i will ask for the oath customary in hearings for just this onsuchas this one ande question. At this time if you could raise your hand, the rules of the committee that applies to all nominees and required a a before and in connection with their thr care testimony. Do you solemnly swear the testimony you are about to give to the Senate Committee on energy and Natural Resources shall be the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth . You may be seated. Im going to ask you three questions addressed to each nominee before the committee. The first is will you be available to appear before the committee to represent departmental positions and respond to issues of concern to the Congress Backs i welcome your honor. Are you aware of any interests that could constitute a conflict or create an appearance of such conflict should you be confirmed and assumed the office by which you are nominated . Are you involved or do you have any assets held in blind trust . I do not. You ma you may proceed with your statement. Is your microphone on . Already the committee is being helpful and supportive. [laughter] and i found nothing but bad in my time i tiny niche of your offices, so thank you all for your hospitality. Madam chair, and i want to say to each of you great thanks. Member cantwell thank you for your wisdom and interaction. All the distinguished members of the committee thank you for allowing me to come in and share with you to let me listen to your concerns it is an honor for me to be president elects Trump Nominee for the secretary. The individual discussions that weve had in your offices and some cases over the phone afterwards have been most important, the most important aspect of the process. I want to thank senator murkowski and senator cantwell again. You both spoke passionately about the priorities of this country and do the things that affect the Energy Policy. You may be from different Political Parties but as i noted during those meetings, what you have in common both if you talked passionately about the safety and reliability of Nuclear Stockpile and the National Labs. The importance of greater security and unique situations in each of your states. Both of them talked passionately about those issues without any notes. You know the challenges and issues that are going to be facing the secretary of energy if i am confirmed. I look forward to working with each one of you. Before i go further, i want to recognize an individual thats already been recognized, but i want to add my love and support to an individual thats been my greatest advocate, a person thats been with me ever since the beginning of the late 1950s. Q. Didnt know that i was a pianist and that is my wife, anita. Weve had quite a journey. I grew up 16 miles from the closest place that had a post office and the house just received power from the Electrification Agency all the way to today as i am being considered as the secretary of energy. With us today is also one of our pride and joy is, that is our daughter and her new husband, a naval officer. I arrive at disappointment with decades of experience in elected office. I was the state representative and the agricultural commissioner and lieutenant governor. For 14 years, the governor of the state of texas. During my three and a half terms as governor a state that created 2. 2 million jobs we added more people to the population than any other state in the period of time. If it were a standalone country come it would b,it would be thet economy in the world. Also were th we had the nationg Energy Producing states not just in terms of legal and gas but also wind energy. I firsthand experienced the energy boom that revolutionized the statewide cleanup efforts to improve our environment as well. As governor i also learned that the management skills that you gain as the senator mentioned he and yoyet you certainly know ths well of being a governor. I have the executive experience necessary for leading an organization as large as the department of energy. From this experience i learned how important it is to the American Economy and the great responsibility that we have to take care of what we have been given to protect our citizens. Im alsi am also if so fortunate confirmed this experience will inform my priorities of the department. I am committed to keeping americans safe. Nuclear security is the largest portion of the department of Energy Portfolio, the budget if you will. I will be focused on continuing to protect and modernize the nations Nuclear Stockpile. As a former air force pilot during the days of the cold war, i understand the value of a Nuclear Weapon system and the vital role that they play in keeping the peace. Another aspect ensuring the viability of the electric grid against Cyber Security attacks. I am committed to undertaking enhanced security measures where necessary and assisting with Recovery Efforts so that americans can depend on a stable source of power. I will draw upon my years of experience as the governor in a coastal state organizing Emergency Response personnel to handle disasters effectively and efficiently. If confirmed, i will advocate and promote energy in all forms and that certainly includes the renewables. America has been blessed with vast Natural Resources into the technology to utilize them. I am committed to helping provide stable, reliable, affordable and secure forces of American Energy. And the first Energy Strategy is important to create jobs and grow the economy. I am a major proponent of maintaining the leadership in the area of scientific. The basic Research Even when you may not see the results of that for a generation. Our scientists and labs are the envy of the world and i look forward to visiting those labs this year and if confirmed learning even more about the unique work. I have a record of courting the best Scientific Minds to bring innovation and job creation to their home state. Furthermore, i understand and am committed to the vital role of the department of energy that it maintains in the environmental cleanup. Cleaning up Nuclear Waste that is the legacy of the cold war. I have experience dealing with the difficult challenges of transporting and storing lowlevel waste in my home state of texas. I know this is a daunting task. You have 35 states that temporarily are housing away from various nuclear programs. Working to address the concerns many of you are hearing back home about the Nuclear Waste facilities. In summary, i am committed to modernizing the Nuclear Stockpile, promoting and developing energy in all forms, advancing the departments Critical Science and Technology Mission and carefully disposing of Nuclear Waste. If i am a in my limited time left, i have a couple other issues i would like to touch upon. Ive learned a great deal about the important work being done all day by the outstanding men and women in the department of energy. I spoken several times to the secretary about the operation. Ive spoken to his predecessors. My desire is to lead the agency in a manner surrounding myself with the expertise on the Core Functions of the department. My past statements made over five years ago about abolishing the department of energy do not reflect my current thinking. In fact after being briefed on so many of the vital functions in the department of energy, i regret recommending its elimination. If confirmed, i will enter this role excited and passionate about advocating and advancing drawling greater attention to the vital role played by the agencies and the hardworking men and women that dedicate themselves in pursuit of these missions. Second, let me speak to the issue of Climate Change. I believe the climate is changing. I believe some of it is naturally occurring but some of it is caused by manmade activity. The question is how we address it in a thoughtful way that doesnt compromise Economic Growth. It affects the affordability of energy for american jobs. To address the impairment of challenges including Climate Change and despite this growing population i might add one of the petrochemical Refining Industries in the world, we saw our climate and air improved and the period of time and reduced carbon output by 17 . Sulfur dioxide by 16 , nitrogen oxides by 66 . We decommissioned 137 of these older dirty burning plants. We did it by using incentives to move to the new Clean Technology such as clean coal, Carbon Capture. Theres a plant that is going to be used soon using the Carbon Capture sequestration and we are also using the carbon that is then injected into the wells for the secondary operations. To retrofit some 15,000 engines under the texas Emissions Reductions planned and we provided incentives for Energy Efficiency is. The formations have held not only the texas Carbon Footprint but other states and mexico as well. But reducing Carbon Emissions not just the development of the clean fossil fuels but through the development of renewable resources. Giving my time as governor, texas took the national lea nate in the Wind Energy Development is now produces more wind as the senator reminded you of in seven countries, excuse me, five countries. When it comes to Climate Change, i am committed to making decisions based on sound science but also take into account the Economic Impact. We need an Energy Policy for the 21st century thats focused on promoting energy in all forms. I am committed to working with this committee and the Incoming Administration to do just that. Senators, this is a historic time for america and for the energy sector, and i would be honored to be a part of that. Thank you. Hispanic thank you, governor perry. We know at least two matters of concern based on statements that you had made previously and im sure there will be further questions directed to that. But i do think that its important to recognize the work that has gone forward in the state of texas as you have worked to not only embraced the growing population to provide for jobs and Economic Opportunity but at the same time, working to address the issue of emissions and how you can bring on Additional Energy sources in both the traditional and renewable sources is a story worth repeating. I want to focus my first round of questions on a specific iss issue. I appreciate your attention to them. Senator cantwell mentioned that i am often heard stating that america is an arctic nation. We are proud that we are in alaska arctic nation. Weve been struggling a little bit because there are some that i think views the arctic in isolation, something that is frozen in time almost a snow globe that should sit on the shelf and we shouldnt touch it as the senator knows, it is a very dynamic part of the world and a very dynamic part of the country. But understanding what is happening in the arctic is imperative. Knowing the science and understanding that science is an imperative, and we see much of this come out of the department of energy. We also recognize that there are incredible resources in the arctic certainly that could enhance the Energy Production if we are able to access them. So the commitments that im speaking from you today is one where you would agree to work with me as well as the people of alaska and the nation to bring industry and bring science to bring the local communities together to ensure the u. S. Can continue to be a leader in the arctic as it relates to the Energy Production and science and understanding all that is in front of us as an arctic nation. You have my commitment as too the members of the committee to focus on the development of the various regions. Obviously you and i had a very lengthy conversation about the challenges that the native alaskans face from the standpoint of both the Economic Impact, the environmental impact. It is a unique area. From the times i was there and the times i will visit in the future will help develop even better in understanding of not only the challenges, but the opportunities. And i look at this position if i am so fortunate to be confirmed as the secretary of energy. The agency and the brilliance of our National Labs. When i started spending time understanding the National Labs, texas a and m. University which is my home state was brought into a competition and at that particular point in time, i was really finding out about the laboratories and the men and women that are in the laboratories and the extraordinary individuals. The Technology Side on the side of energy, there are a fascinatingly large number of opportunities that we have on the economic side to make peoples quality of life come in your home state for instance, better by bringing technologies that we may have an idea about today and found that we have not even dreamed up yet to disable to the commercialization to affect your state and the nation as a whole. So my record as the governor of texas has been one to not only think outside the box but do some things that people might not necessarily have associated with a republican governor. But to do it in a way that both sides of the aisle and people that dont give a damn about either Political Party but what is the result. We will commit to find those results that will have a positive impact on your citizens of alaska and in this country. I appreciate that commitment and i would commend to you we cacan be that living laboratorys wonderful as the National Labs are. We have some extraordinary individuals with a phd in arctic living. Individuals that have been there for millennia and are relying on the Indigenous People as well as the work would have a brilliant scientists in the labs and around the country is very important that i look forward to spending more time with you speaking about these issues that are so pertinent to the development of the sustainable arctic environment. Senator cantwell. I liked several things you have to say. There was one thing that i definitely want to bring up thats concerning and that is used as its related to the Energy Strategy we cannot compromise the Economic Growth. I guarantee you today we are compromising Economic Growth because of our open opinions on fossil fuel. It is having an impact on the Natural Resources economy in my state. Its having an effect on shellfish and the ability to feed and its having an effect on the two most devastating fiveyear seasons or state has had in the history of our state building up in just 2 billion with september. Weve requested the report did i expect to be at this year. Basically trying to identify the responsibilities related to climate me onetings Climate Change and things of that nature. Juxtaposed to the fact we are getting hacked by the russians and the republicans in the house couldnt bother to pick up on the cybersecurity bill and pass it. Trying to understand where you are going to have priorities. I want to know your commitment to protecting these individuals in the scientific budget that goes along with them. Its the efforts of defending us and basically repudiating the comments of bringing the hacking on and instead make the commitment to pick up the mantle and defend the nation against russian attacks. That question must be referenced went out before i was ever selected as the nominee to succeed for the committee. I didnt approve it and i dont approve of it. I dont need that information. I dont want that information. That is not how i manage. I have a history of working with people to find answers to challenges that face us. Not only across the political ideals but also tidols but alsoe men and women that i have an extraordinary amount of respect for at the department of energy to find the solutions to these whether they are on the environment and whether they are economically focused or otherwise. Do you plan to protect us on climate . Your question again . Do you plan to protect Research Related to climate . Im going to protect all the science whether it is to the climate or the other aspects of what we are going to be doing. You asked about cyber and i would suggest we have a massive role to play in math. It is an area that i also have history with, senator, of working with the private sector and working in my case with the State Government entities. But the doe will allow me to go to a new level if you will of engagement to find a way to protect. And i will be honest with you. I dont care who it is whether it is a formal state or a group that is loosely associated. If they are trying to penetrate into americans lives whether it is private citizens or the highest levels of our government, you will see me engaged in in activities at the department of energy working across the agencies for that matter, working with all those different agencies. I feel very confident that we have in our scientific laboratories and private sector operations in the fertile minds of the men and women at the department of energy and the second exciting particular. For that matter the intention to do harm for americans. Im going to protect the men and women of the Scientific Community from any one that would attack them, no matter what their reason may be at the department of energy. Senator hoeven, and you will be followed by senator heinrich. A governor, great to see you. Thanks for your willingness to serve and to anita and your whole family. You are part of that service as well. Thanks so much and welcome. I appreciated in the Opening Statement you talked about all the different types of Energy Produced in texas because we need and all of the above policy for the country. We need one that is focused on empowering states rather than the one size fits all and i know you understand that. Also appreciate the fact you brought up no up not only are ya leader in texas and producing fossil fuels like oil and gas but also Renewable Energy. In my state we produce a Million Barrels a day second only to texas in Oil Production but we also produce when and biofuels and other renewables. You talked about that and i want to commend you on that. You thought that a project youre working on to capture and sequestered co2. We produce synthetic natural gas and capture the co2 and put it in the legal field for the secondary recovery. We want to do more of that and i know that you understand and thats why ive asked you to come to north dakota to see the Environmental Research center, and you talked about the new technology there. But we have projects to capture co2. Its too rich for pick up the plans and we need you to come out there and help us continue to develop and commercialize the technology. Im asking for your commitment to do that because of something that doesnt just benefit the state of the countries and beyond that as others develop the technology, it is a global type of solution. The talk about that for a minute and your commitment to make that happen. Thank you. You do have my commitment to not only continue the work on the technology to be commercialized but we will come to your home state first possible moment. I think im going to be spending a lot of time traveling to your states. How about West Virginia, any chance you will be going to West Virginia, just wondering. I think that West Virginia thought that i was an honorary citizen over there for a while. Back to your point, i am a big believer that one of the reasons we have a responsibility to fund basic research a lot of times we dont know what the outcome is going to be. Iits maybe a generation down te road on basic research, but with our applied research, we have a lot better idea about how it reaches fruition and can be commercialized. I saw that as the governor of texas we helped create a fund and again i dont get confused about the difference between the federal government and State Government. You and i are both strong supporters but my Life Experiences are going to affect the way that i operate as the secretary of energy by being confirmed. One of those happens to be investing in the technology that can be commercialized to improve peoples quality of life. One of the things the senator and i talked about in his office is that one day i hope he and i and a host of other individuals can stand up together with technology that came out of the department of energy that we are able to sell to the chinese to start making the environment in china better. That is the potential that is my home state and your home state were virtually changed in a lifechanging way with hydraulic fracturing and that technology had its genesis at the department of energy. So, the concept of using that agency whether it is on cybersecurity or new ways to use the Natural Resources that we have, and the management of the. One of the things i bring to you as my 14 years of managing the 12th largest economy in the world of efficiently and effectively putting programs into place and seeing a result on the action, that is my commitment, senator, on a daily basis i will have men and women who i trust that have the expertise and the authority to be able to implement the programs that can affect citizens not just of your state but hopefully the citizens of this world. I think that is a good description of the opportunity that we have and i look forward to working with you. Governor, welcome. I have been deeply concerned about press reports that indicate keen leadership post literally the steward of the stockpile might be vacant during the transition. As this the question of interim leadership and resolve . Senator, thank you. I, like you, have concern about an orderly transition. The Nuclear Stockpile in the country is almost different than anything else out there. So having men and women in place and a structure in place to give confidence and a surety, predictability to the people in this country and the men and women of the committee is very important. That position is one that has president ial nomination oversight. I have sat down with the general and had a good conversation with him and have sent the message that it would certainly be my desire to have that continuity. It is in the president s office now and hopefully we will see that type of continuitthe type e very important places. I want to thank you for your efforts. It would suit served the administration while. Unlike other agencies because the way the law was written by the predecessor, you have to appoint the positions from people that served the last 365 days. So the pool is limited and i think that we all want to see them succeed. 2016, the warmest year the planet has experienced in history. Its the third year in a row that rakes that record. You state your testimony that you believe you, quote, believe the climate is changing. This shouldnt be about the belief. It should be about data and evidence and the peerreviewed scientific results. Stepping back from just climate, i want to ask you quickly will you commit to using science as your guide when making the policy . My record as the governor of your neighboring state shows is the case and i will give you a couple examples. Relying upon the data then peoples lives are in jeopardy is one of the things that i became very well known for and i would like to speak about hurricanes and the effect they can have at 5 00 one morning if i received the phone call that a particular storm track was going to go directly up as a category five storm and the devastation was massive, we are talking about over a Million People dead, not a Million People infected with a Million People dead. Those were sobering moments in individuals life at that particular point in time we started a massive evacuation in the houston area. That happened to be wrong for that particular storm. But the point i is i made decisions based on the sound side and i could find. They work at los alamos and i want to thank you for your statement as well and for calling for the nation. We are looking forward to hearing from you. Thank you madam chair. Congratulations again and thank you for listening to my concerns about the department. I would like to ask about the Department Transfers that we talked about which is a component in the department of energy. These are the transactions that the department trains and its access uranium department gets for contractors and the have seen a lot of this in the Obama Administration. The department has violated a number of federal laws. Its also flooded the market with tens of millions of pounds of uranium so as a result, the people that are out there producing in wyoming and texas and other states ended up laying off workers and canceling projects. If confirmed, will you consider suspending the departments socalled darters of excess uranium until you can at least review the policy . I will commit to you that we will follow the law. At this particular point in time there is a question on what is being followed. I will spend the time becoming very familiar not only with the law that the impact that its having. You made reference that the reason its happening is because the budgetary, and again, during my years in Public Service post as a young state representative on the appropriations committee, and obviously as the governor of texas who had to put fward a budget every two years, i understand its a budgetary process rather well. And the negotiations that go on and the prioritization that goes on. So hopefully, you will see that type of activity from the department of energy from the standpoint of the process where you dont have to see programs that are important to you and members of the agency being affected because of the management or because of the budgetary negotiations that we were not the smoothest we would hope for. I would hope that he would meet with the uranium producers and essentially come up with a Longterm Management plan prior to authorizing any additional babarkers. We work closely with the committee to do just that. I went to turn to the natural gas. Since 2010 for the departments process has been unpredictable. Some of us here on the committee in a bipartisan way including the senator who was just asking questions, he and i introduced questions to expedite the permitting process. This committee, the entire Senate Passed legislation overwhelminthe legislationoverw. The house passed a nearly identical piece of legislation to begin with bipartisan support. So if confirmed, would you commit to acting on the pending export applications that are all piled up there and do it in a timely manner . Senator, i will follow the law and of the instruction that i see as Congress Goes forward working with the administration. My understanding from having conversations with the president elect trump she is and all of the above supporter of American Energy and support, develop and promote that Energy Resource to provide natural gas. We are going to introduce the legislation and i would hope that he would work with me and others in a bipartisan way not just to ensure you and your successors and those that act on the applications in a timely matter because we have an abundance of energy as we talked about in the country. Putin uses energy as a weapon, a geopolitical weapon. We are an energy force in the country and i believe we should be acting like the International Force that we are. Thank you and congratulations again. Senator cortez. Thank you. Governor perry, congratulations on your nomination. I suspect you know what the first question will be right out of the gate. It requires the secretary of energy to receive consent from any state considered from the Nuclear Waste repository before proceeding with the development. And in 2011, as a president ial debate in las vegas, you came out in favor regards to Yucca Mountain or doing if nevada doesnt want it, and i would tell you 58 percent do not want it. Senator, as you know in 2011, i was a sitting governor and i made a statement about federalism. I think its important for the secretary of energy if i am so fortunate as to be confirmed to have a good working relationship with as many governors as i can as the citizens of the state. I happened to be a great believer in the statutes and the loss of if you pass such, not only will isolate it, but i will happily salute it. Let me ask you this, he just came out in the state of the state that any attempt would be met with relentless opposition and the maximum resources also continuing down the path of the two force this on nevada is a waste of time and money and get the country further away from solving its Nuclear Waste problem. And in fact, on may 8, 2014 on meet the press, you criticized out of washington, d. C. And that is what we have here. So, can you commit that you will continue to work with the governor and people in the state of nevada with everyone who has concerns about the safety and health of citing the Nuclear Waste at Yucca Mountain and particularly those in Southern Nevada that will be harmed by it including those tha. I am very aware that this is an issue the country has been flummoxed by for 30 years. We have spent billions of dollars on this issue. After i was asked to serve as the secretary of energy i thought that it would be wise to pick up the phone or meet facetoface with the two senators from nevada and the governor as you know that i am personal friends with to make sure that you all were on the same page of the handbook. I know that it doesnt surprise you but you are. So i respect that position and where you are coming from. I will work closely with you and the members of the committee to try to find answers to these challenges that we have, and hopefully this is the beginning of seeing the Real Movement management of the issue that i think no longer can be used as a political football and one that must be addressed. I think we can find a solution n both in the interim and the longterm in the Nuclear Waste. I appreciate your comments and im going to hold you to foreword because you said that you rely on the data when peoples lives are at stake. I hope in this instance people do the same thing. I know my time is running out here but i have another round to ask additional comments to these two questions. This is something that pertains to both of the states. We have the Obama Administration so i want to ask your opinion about this. There is the ethanol plant and the administration had Loan Guarantees about half the project 1. 8 billion private capital. What this does is takes everything including Carbon Dioxide as opposed to releasing the Carbon Dioxide into the atmosphere it catches it and sends it to texas for oil recovery. And using kind of a we know how it Works Technology but bringing it to scale. Your administration is. But you may not know the particulars but the concept of the idea that there would be a Loan Guarantee that would create american jobs and also captured to be capture Carbon Dioxide will recovery. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to share with you. I dont know the particulars of this on the surface it appears to make sense. The observation that is supported by both sides of the aisle would seem to make that a relatively easy decision to continue with but with that said, ive got that history of investing and working with the members of the legislature in the case of my time as the Texas Governor and Speaker Panel of experts that referred these projects to us for approval or not. That history i hope will give you comfort in that i am a big believe or we have a role to play both in basic research but also the applied research to bring new technologies, new Economic Development opportunities to the country, and so you have my commitment to come take a look at the project and get to know it firsthand. But that is the type of program the department of energy should be engaged with the tabs really concrete successful and results. I was in another hearing but i understand youve been speaking about the record of expanding jobs as well as decreasing emissions. There is a direct relationship between the Worldwide Manufacturing moving to china in the Worldwide Growth in emissions. As one example, since 2004 to 2014, the rhythm from 112 to one fourth had gone from being the 19th emitter of Greenhouse Gases to number one. I told folks is president of trump is successful at returning manufacturing to the United States where we would have the standards capturing Greenhouse Gases as well as using Clean Natural gas and Nuclear Renewables as opposed to their electricity we will have more of an impact than any other arrangement. Im sorry that i wasnt here. Senator, you know that im a bit of a competitor. Governor jerry brown used to not be happy with me showing up in california to recruit businesses frofrom telephony telephone youd maybe might have showed up in one of your states as well. But the competition is a good thing and i think the competition that can occur with the United States regulatory policies in place to bring manufacturing back on short is a good thing. I also think that it would have the added benefit forcing china to make some changes in how they do their business. As i said earlier about taking the number of the senators here, all of that makes good sense to me that not only do we retrieve that back into the United States because we know we can. I have seen the 12th largest economy in the world over Carbon Dioxide emissions by 17 and by 66 or 58 . That is real reductions that make a difference in the environment of the world. And if we can see that type of technology and effort and Competitive Pressure if you will to places like china, then we have served the citizens well. Thank you. I yield back. Thank you, governor perry and to your family as well. I had the chance to talk about basic research and applied research in a number of different fronts. I appreciated what you said then as well as what he said now in supporting the efforts to bring these new technologies and commercialization as well as doing basic research. And i should tell you talking at the university of michigan, they indicated that your universities indicated your support for these efforts in basic research and so on. So a couple of things. I talked with you about the facilities for the isotopes at Michigan University with the construction project that is going to end up with the worlds most powerful radioactive facility that would advance the new National Defense in the Environmental Technology as well as medical technologies. We need to have your continued support for that and we are in the middle of the ten years of the scheduled funding and federal, state funding and i would like to ask you if you will support the efforts to bring this to completion. I really enjoyed your intellectual engagement on that particular project. Those are exactly the types of research that then turning to applied research and quality of life things that i have had a great joy and honor to be involved with while i was the governor of texas. We went from no manufacturing jobs to Illegal Drugs prior to the start of 20001010 years later being able to see the vaccines manufactured in the state to address pandemic defensevents. Those are the type of things that change the world. And the project you shared as the same potential to change the world in a powerful and positive way. So the idea that i am kind of foundation only involved in that kind of thinking is there. I look forward to learning more about it and coming up and visiting the site with you and then prioritizing both with congress and the administration that this is the type of program that not only we should be engaged with that can make a difference in the quality of life were Economic Life or hopefully both as we go forward. Forward with their f150 series, the f150 trucks have gone to a laminate composite taking 700 pounds out of the weight of the truck which affects their fuel economy. So these are all incredibly important and what im concerned about is this warning because i believe you that you support these projects but my concern is that we are now a hearing in the press that the white house and the Transition Team using Heritage Foundation budget proposals are proposing to roll back funding for Nuclear Physics at and Scientific Computing research at 2008 levels eliminating the office of the electricity eliminating the office of Renewable Energy which im just not talking about and scrapping the office of fossil energy which focuses on technologies to reduce Carbon Dioxide emissions. And so how do you see your role as you coming into new position where we are talking about massive cuts in the kind of things that you have advocated for and that you supported in your role as governor that are critical to the future of the company and lowering emissions in creating more efficiencies. If we are really going to do all that it needs to be the kinds of things that youve been talking about this morning and we just have a new segment and work talking about massive cuts in the Energy Department. Governor perry senator stabenows time has expired so he could respond very briefly. Senator i think all of us having been in the business that we have been in for the years that we have no that there are always a lot of statements sometimes just because on the internet, i can answer whether thats true or not. What i can tell you is i know from my if that moving America Forward on the supercomputing site for instance exascale is incredibly important for this Country Security and i have no questions at all about whether or not the Trump Administration is going to be very supportive of keeping america strong and free and the technologies that come out of d. O. E. In many cases are going to play a very Important Role. I will be an advocate. I will be in the room advocating for these types of things. Im not going to tell you im going to be 1000 successful in that but i can assure you and the people who know me and who have worked with me know if my commitment to making sound science, Economic Science connected together because at the end of the day they make great economic sense and the great quality of life sense. Senator kaine. Governor perry welcome. Welcome to your beautiful family behind you. Its made us days work, sir. Yes sir and i would say if i was in your chair i would make sure i had mark tell us Marcus Luttrell guarding u. S. Well. And his twin brother, morgan. I wondered about that. Anyway i have complete confidence truly in that you are going to work to restore this balance in the American People between fossil fuels and Renewable Energy investments in regulation. In texas and we say montana its a blend of George Strait and john denver. Thats a melody that we need right now in this nation and i think thats been lacking frankly and president obamas Energy Department and we need to restore that balance and thank you. Governor perry in our meeting we discuss whats going on with the smalltown in montana. This plant is a life led of 2000 people, 767 of those folks directly employed by the operation. Coastal generates enough energy to power 1. 5 million homes you know they are scheduled to close due in two environmental litigation and under these jobkilling epa power plants. The other two units are also at risk in fact a study at the university of montana said that the epas powerplant would kill 7000 jobs in our state, 500 million in lost revenues, 140 million in lost tax revenue and we have a legislature in montana but once had a 300 9 surplus in out the governor and legislature are trying to make ends meet because the surplus is gone. In montana with the closure of these plants we will go from being a Net Energy Exporter to now having become an energy importer. I think that is a tragedy. These are regulations coming out of the epa but the department of energy under your leadership can do big things to protect its future. We discussed the quote tribe in montana. They have a 35 Unemployment Rate right now. We lose those cold jobs in that reservation in the climate rate goes north of 80 and this is poverty and rural america. We had an Energy Conference here about a year ago and we had some protesters that came and they had big signs that said keep it in the ground referencing coal. A 12yearold daughter of the chairman of the tribe quietly walked up to those protesters and said you know if you keep it in the ground my people are going to start. That is what is at stake right now present concert of this administration doesnt do anything to protect their assisting coal fleet like coal strip many montanans are going to lose their jobs are state tax revenues and our grid. Our grid will become less secure and less reliable. We said in our meeting that i welcome and would like your personal attention to this issue and i do appreciate your commitment. I know you travel a lot when you are the new secretary of energy but i appreciate if youd come and visit these communities and see it firsthand. Some of the ways to protect their existing fleet and their base flow of energy are to facilitate research that can improve efficiencies at our coal plants and investing Carbon Capture utilization storage technology. Im concerned that we ever will choice that we will either lead in americorps seeds this to the chinese. My question is will the d. O. E. Support investments in Carbon Capture to use storage as well as other policies that will keep americans cold slate running including coal strip so we can continue to use is more viable resource . Center i look forward to coming back to montana and spending some quality time with the men and women who are being affected by this decision that we collectively have made that affect their lives. You have very eloquently and passionately shared with this committee and with the world the challenges that we have. I remember well a decade and a half ago when there was an individual who traveled the country and i think made a pretty good living giving a speech about peak oil. It was all, we are done. He did know what the answer was for the alternative but he basically said we are done. But because of technology that came out of d. O. E. And hydraulic fracture the world has changed. The world is given a resource that we been able to use to help lower the Carbon Emissions. Im talking about natural gas. I will suggest that sometimes we get silo dinner thinking and we go its either or in so coal is bad, leave it in the ground. The fact is i am certain, i feel positive that some scientists, some incredible capable man or woman either at the d. O. E. Or one of our universities laboratories has technology to be able to use coal in a way that is friendly, that is appropriate and that can keep that little girls family fed and warm and with a hope for the future. To me, that is what we are all about. We signed up for this to make a difference in peoples lives. And you have passionately talked about that today. That is my commitment not just to you but everyone in this room and on this committee that im going to do everything i can to push the envelope to think outside the box to come up with the answers to the challenges we face in this country. Thats obviously one of them and thats a big one, making sure that people in hannaford know that is being managed and they are starting to see some things really happen out there and giving them hope that is not just going to be another 30 years of the federal government kicking the can down the road. That is what im committed to, senator. Thank you governor. Senator hirono. Thank you madam chair and aloha to you and your family. Unfortunately i only have five and is so i bring my questions to elicit your general responses from you and i hope you will stay with that kind of a format. Thank you so much. Governor you have talked about pursuing and all of the above Energy Strategy and the senator stabenow just mention end of course i also am aware that just this morning we learned that the trump that trump Transition Team intends to eliminating the office of Energy Efficiency office of electricity and the office of fossil energy which focuses on technology to reduce Carbon Dioxide emissions and make other massive cuts to the d. O. E. Department. Its hard to see how we can pursue in alloftheabove strategy of so much of the department all of the above capabilities are eliminated. My question is, do you support these cuts, yes or no . Senator maybe they will have the same experience i had in forget that they said that. We are counting on you. We are counting on you to educate the incoming president. [laughter] moving on. So you also stated having educated yourself. Do you believe the climate is changing and when it comes to Climate Change have committed to making decisions based on sound science and take into account the Economic Impact. We have heard a lot this morning about making sure there is a balance between what we need to do with regard to our Energy Future. Does the Economic Impact include the cost of not doing anything but just Climate Change . Absolutely and thats the reason i took the steps i take as the governor more the governor. Z hawaii is recently as 2006 relied on fossil fuel for 92 of its energy needs. The Research Technical assistance particular the state Energy Program from the u. S. Department of energy have been instrumental in supporting hawaiis shift towards Renewable Energy. In fact why has the most ambitious Renewable Energy goals in the entire country so you want to become 100 energy self efficient by 2045. Can the state of hawaii can on your continued support from the department of energy to become Energy Independent and the leader in the Clean Energy Sector . Yes. Finally. Im very troubled by recent news reports that the president elect Transition Team has not asked the administrator of the National Nuclear Security Administration to extend their service past january 20. This would be the first time in their 16 year history that Senior Leadership will not be kept possibly on for the Incoming Administration and i know you said you wanted a smooth transition but im wondering whether this is an area we can afford to not keep these people on so will you commit to insure the department of energys ability to protect and manage your Nations Nuclear weapons stockpile . Senator im not concerned that the continuity of protecting our stock pile is going to be in place as i said earlier. We have sent the message we have interviewed the existing staff. I dont think anyone would sit here, i hope not anyway and say you will keep every person there is over there without interviewing them having interaction. I will suggest to you my 14 years of governing texas and being ceo of the 12th largest economy in the world i know something about identifying talents and putting them into place. I will interview appropriately but as i shared with senator heinrich the administration has the final decision on a president ial appointment. We are quite comfortable. Governor you got away from her yes or no answer. That one i cant give you an answer. One of the reasons texas is a success and the adoption of nuclear is the goal. As i mentioned hawaii has a similar goal. In 2012 but called for the creation of a National Global Energy Standard because setting up goal as you well know in texas gives the private sector certainty to meet the kinds of investments needed to meet the goals set by a large state like texas. Would you support a national Renewable Energy standard provided they can achieve baseline, the achievable baseline standard . Senator you know my position on federalism and onesizefitsall doesnt work that well. Thats fair. Would you at least continue to support the states efforts . Absolutely. I will talk to any governor about the wisdom of using their universities, using their private sector using the department of energy to come up with the technologies to move us forward their states position from the stamp whatever noble. I will be happy to give them a roadmap on how to do that. Thank you. My time is up. Thank you madam chair. Governor perry thank you very much and thank you for the patience to go through this process and things as well to your family for being here to support you and your commitment to Public Service as well. I want to followup a little bit on what senator daines talk about because i think its very important to recognize their places across the country like never read a colorado maker colorado creighton colorado delta colorado. Montrose colorado that a lot of people never hear of but they are places that have been dramatically affected by her over regulations. Their places ive visited in coalminers and workers that is a government that is faceless to them that have real consequences at the dinner table. Your job in the department of energy is to say heres a cool regulation here is a wind regulation. This is not all that the department of energy does and there may be no roll insert those areas that epa has affected the western slopes of colorado and Eastern Plains and our public lands are affecting jobs created as part of our all of the above Energy Strategy and policy in this country. Even the department of agriculture and Forest Service has affected our ability to produce Affordable Energy whether its the National Grasslands in eastern colorado or areas of the western slope. I would encourage you as you sit in a cabinet and talk about goals for this country and we talk about the impact this government have know that one agency has a tremendous impact on the work that another agency is doing and it shouldnt just be the epa in this part of colorado and the interior department in this area. They altogether layer in a big way that has real impact on people of our country. So thank you for your commitment to working through those tangled webs of government overreach that have put people out of work and her people in my state of colorado. We all recognize the need to protect our great outdoors. I spent a tremendous amount time this committee talking about protecting it and making sure its an better quality. We cant all be trained to install solar panels that but they have to do work at home as well. So you and i have had a lot of discussion about than all of the above strategy. Colorado if you look the statistics were the seventhranked state in terms of crude Oil Production in the six greinke natural gas and over the past couple of years even higher than that of tenth ranked in installed wind on the leading edge of turban many faction. Its incredible to see what we have done without all of the above Energy Policy in colorado. One key component of that is the energy leper tory in colorado. This is a merely a billiondollar Economic Impact nationwide. For every 1 dollar invested in the department of Energy Secures about five additional dollars in the private sector funding. As a facility known for its commercialization taking projects from the labs to the marketplace ready to be a part of our energy sector. F. You traveled to hawaii in the first eight you visit i hope youll come to colorado to see the important work that they are doing their and please know you have an early invitation and i would like your commitment to working with me to understand the work that is done in how its a part of our all of the above energy mix. Senator look forward to coming in visiting. I wont dwell on this but you were very enlightening to me from the standpoint of what they do there. Those are obviously the types of technology, the applied research that can be commercialized that we have a role to play and should be engaging in so i look forward to a long visit there. Opposite some of the work they are doing deals with great modernization efforts and the supercomputers they have in the National Laboratories across the country focus on great modernization Energy Efficiency. The Energy Systems integration facility located at a Research Center that both private industry and the public sectors using to modernize the electrical grid as a central hub for private and Public Research efforts on transportation efforts secretary would you continue to work being done on the red modernization efforts . Two areas that the nrl will have a role to play a would suggest without having deep knowledge of the programmatic line items there but obviously developing that next level of supercomputing and its impact upon the grid both heartening and protecting the grid and most of those are going to play the very Important Role as we go forward at the department of energy along with cybersecurity. I look forward to working with you on these issues are the clipped to the Energy Future of this country. Thank you madam chair. Thank you senator manchin. Governor thank you for continuing to want to serve and we hope that is the case. Let me just say coming from an energy state in West Virginia and texas all of us have had over the years we take for granted the lights are going to come on every time we hit the switch we take for granted that our air conditioner is going to work in our heat is going to work in their refrigerators going to keep our food from governor i dont know why you use coal in the texas and one that you just use more energy . That tells you what we are dealing with what we are doing with end this gopal what were dealing with. I want to put in perspective because sitting where he sits in trying to defend the Energy Policy i am for everything. I am for Wind Solar Renewables and everything but you do have to be rational and practical. Where does their baseload come from . When i talk about baseload people dont know what im talking about. Your refrigerator works when you want it and you can wash her close and you wanted to get to have some of thing that will work 24 7. The update of a baseload. The only thing this country that gives you baseload today is colin nuclear. Gas is coming on the space love but until we get to the pipeline youre not going to have everything you want. Maybe in washington other than that a lot of us dont get it. Im trying to look at a rational position. We are talking about the cuts in everything and i really appreciate your answers. I thought they were very good. Whatever you have, whatever money you have to work with all im asking for is for the portion of how youre going to spend research and technology and i would say this to you. The mix we have right now and energy colin natural gas in 2015 was 66 of the energy, produce 66 of our energy colin natural gas. The rear, 20 . Renewables 13 . So in president obamas budget in 2017 and they wonder why i have a part in this 66 of the energy is supposed to come from coal and gas. Research he committed 600 million for research out of 4. 5 billion. Thats 13 . Nuclear, nuclear is 20 . Its its 994 million. Thats 20 , proportional. Renewal both, 13 . He committed 2. 9 billion or 64 of our Research Dollars and only get a return on eight 13 of the energy. Even if it only goes to 2025, its not going to be at a slowed the wind blows at night. You dont use your electricity and you dont need to wash her close at 2 00 in the morning. We are just trying to make sure we understand until we get that new technology you better take care what youve got. I would ask with this mix can we look for more were proportionate basil we can do a better . Senator ute what you have my commitment to is also backed up by my record and my record as the governor in texas has been that individual who is not afraid to get outside of the talks and to look at some things. To base your decisions on sound science and interestingly with that i think is important for us to keep in mind from time to time time to time science gets it wrong could again we have a lot of people coming and telling us in the early 2000s we found all the oil we are going to find and had we completely made all those changes in our operations we would probably be in the database laying right now. Im committed to and all of the above policy but the knowledge and history of being an individual that believes in finding more efficient, more effective, more positive impact on our environment technology. If i can row quickly the only thing im saying is we get to live doing the heavy lifting and doing the heavy work. You do the coal and you do the natural gas know but elected but they sure as heck use it. Thats all i hear about and then they want us to make a cleaner but we cant make it cleaner so you dont have any commitment from the federal government to do what they said they want to do and give us the money to find the next technology the next research through to allergies so we can get to that next level. Dont continue to berate us because youre not going to do it in the other way unitas but you dont like us. We will do it better if you work with us. But i dont give me confused with the previous administration. From the standpoint of being an individual who has promoted those sources of energy that can drive an economy and at the same time help our environment. I have a record of doing that senator and you can expect if i am so fortunate as to be confirmed by this committee that same commitment but also that same action and activity. I appreciate that and look over to working with you. Thank you senator manchin senator flake. Thank you governor perry. I just want to follow up on a conversation we had there. Moonves said resolution to that issue. As i made in earlier remarks to the Ranking Member and the other members as a whole, the time of kicking the can down the road to deal with this issue , my goal those days are over. To have a thoughtful and productive in conversation with the citizens of your state with the repositories not by the desire but the inaction of the course of the decades that we can come in fact, looking at alternatives, making a real commitment to clean up the environment with the interim and talk one term storage answers to extremely difficult situation. So what weekend uh deal we work with the private sector with a new scale power with the Regulatory Commission and how can this Research Speed speedy adoption . With universities as a governor with teeeleven senators that were governors with their counterparts in their state not just the private sector but a third partner is very important and that is the universitys. But the entire concept of the reactors as a fascinating and was in the of the alternatives we need to have a conversation with but dealing with the waste. Governor, thanks for coming into my office, i did you enjoy reading me . Hope you were as much fun there as you were on your couch. [laughter] and may i rephrase that . Laugh laugh. Please. Please. Oh my aboard. I think weve found our saturday night live skit laugh laugh. Lets move on. One of the fun things on the couch that the shale energy boom this is something my colleagues on the other side are almost sick of me but you make a great the alligator that the department of energy was enormous factor. Their word technology this to move forward at the ed doe and that is implemented in and took together for the shale revolution to occur but the private sector had a substantial amount to do with that. A texas geologist is a great example of van the private sector friends was say you are wasting your time and your wasting your money. I give as much credit to him as doe but they have rolled to play. As a matter of fact the Vice President of the company said doe started it and other people how to cull to run with it you cannot diminish the deal we involvement. In to solve all the of problems that is why were not true. And they should be flu would. To prove busies existential threat in the new claim we have been experiencing a cooling trend to say this is all hottest year on record idol believe by any sense of the imagination calling co2 a pollutant is doing a disservice to the country. I see your views have been devolving the man is responsible for some Climate Change. How much . Is far from me to claim to be a climate scientist bible not do that. Preworld be the head of department of energy. And that we will be approaching at the end of the century the increase of temperature we dont want that for my grandchildren. Recent survey found a lean 95 percent of scientist are sure that cigarettes cause cancer. Is pretty definitive. I dont want the dia of the economy addressing Climate Change at all. Those towers are big. And we owe it i dont know if you have grandchildren or not. To early to. I am not a mathematician. [laughter] we will ignore that. Thanks for being willing to do this there are former governors on this committee then did that regard you dont have to apologize we have seen that in an hour or four lives. No apology is necessary. But arguably the most complex and broad reaching agency maybe you would say doe has a broader span but this is probably as broad reaching as it gets. The soon to be predecessor we actually got along with him quite well he was very intimidating when he would speak of Nuclear Physics. But my contention issue dont have to be a Nuclear Physicist to run this agency but as the senator adequately describe it happens when you become governor nobody paeons to a mule your successor failure depends on your own ability to manage an incredibly broad reaching range of services and issues. Middle depends on who you bring around you. And this agency you will need lots of experts. In idaho we had the National Laboratory which is the of the first label slipped by nuclear energy. Today is the lead laboratory and a half to say i was impressed how you were getting your arms around this. Most americans have no ideas with they do but was very impressed. I appreciate your commitment in addition to the mission the lead laboratory. With the incredible vulnerability. Can you tell me your thoughts publicly . You should have the ability to talk about this publicly. Thanks for relaying that interesting juxtaposition that governors have with those complex issues that they face. This is a pretty good prerequisite interestingly in the history busily bend to Nuclear Physicist also the issue from my perspective is being able to manage and prioritize what is important with those that are the best in the business. You can draw the into the process. Because of the patriotic commitment to the country, that is my intention to find men and women at the private sector and university, they are the repository of the extraordinary brilliance in the world. A crown jewel with a scientific standpoint. Working with other agencies i would suggest but to coordinate across agency, to have the support not only of the administration but the private sector on what i consider the great challenges. This arena will changes in a hurry. Just like the super computing we have gotten behind. But the ability to move forward to the next generation model. You will see the same commitment that i made in my own state literally going from zero to the of vaccines for the pandemic event. I know we can do this we need the management, resources but we can successfully put into place cybersecurity practices from the of more important side with the electrical grid and military capabilities. My time is up. At the of risk of being these fraternal orders into the ground i remember reading you 16 years ago to bar all the steps of the capital standing next to one another at the george bush inauguration is amazing neither one of us have a job one day it is extraordinary. I want to caution you this is the League Committee where you can use the word is sequestered and expect a positive response. People talk about the cuts. You will be called upon to lead the cuts proposed if correct are devastating i hope of people that are proposing these cuts they heard senator hoven say it is the way for word talk about the role of the department of energy in moments ago talking about indians computing that is on the cutting board apparently to eliminate the office of electrical efficiency and Renewable Energy . This is nuts in terms of the future of energy in this country. Doe has two functions one is the Nuclear Enterprise the other is research. In with offshore energy in you have to do some hard pushing back assuming this is true it is almost a parody to be Cutting Research at this moment in time but will you commit you will be a lionheart to protect your agency because they are cutting everywhere. Senator, i have a rather interesting background not unlike yours, defending budgets both from those who are in the know and. It is hard to believe in. I will allow your statement tuesday and. , know what the department of energy should be good at i have spent enough time making myself aware talking to individuals. 1 2 to cut you off but i really hope you will be strong as an entirely different subject here is what is of concern to me with naturalgas we have already approved 20 percent of that total production. In the queue is 71 percent of the production for exports if that happens no way in the world, this congress cannot repeal the of law of supply and demand that would not domestically affect prices that has been our vantage to bring manufacturing back. The naturalgas sacked back in 1938 says it has to be in the Public Interest that the definition can you give me that commitment . I will find ways to make sure we dont affect supply at to in demand. And it has been on the supply side. In with the regulatory side would make sure we have the ability because the demand will be baird reproduce it in makes abundant good sense to sell it to the world last doing so increases domestic prices like in australia and it tripled in price. That would be a disaster. I understand. But looking at the entire issue globally that were not making decisions year affecting the ability to supply to keep the demand addressed that does not drive up the sock cost of what we try to bring back. Lowprice natural gas. Thank you for your willingness i did enjoy our meeting apparently not as exciting from the one from minnesota. With that capability to produce enriched uranium a gashes diffusion method when obama ran now the opposite has happened in this fight to clean up the place going to the 20 20 24 but to stretch that out for their inability to followthrough for their commitment they just dont know if the next paycheck will be there would dilute the but the cleanup effort but then it lowers the cost. I will commit to you to be is educated as icahn in the most expeditious way. To Employee Management skills and capabilities capabilities, again, without knowing details but my instinct tells me if this of execution. I put you on the spot further but we never managed to work that out with the previous secretary with incredible infrastructure that is great for a future power plant. Would lead you commit to pop to see that Huge Investment cop . I will flit to that and say you know, how to get a hold of me spirit restarted a Centrifuge Technology project is and without hundreds of millions of taxpayer money. Were not spending any more. Put an end we add of no ability to enrich uranium would agree have increased the we as americans down have the ability to do that. Would you be willing to look into this issue plaques and know you need to research but i hope you give your personal attention do you have a response . I will give it the appropriate to study with the enrichment of uranium is a National Security issue and take merry seriously not only to understand the issue better but that this is a National Security issue and a willing partner to make scheerer the doe does in the most efficient and effective feasible way that they can. But also because we need that uranium for the stockpile and for the navy. I know we have stockpiles now bet it would probably take a decade as an enormous cost to the taxpayers. Talk about that they voted of that Energy Efficiency bill. In passing that 82 15 they have then at the forefront on this issue. Only about the environment or jobs for competing with china and other nations that are making Huge Investments in clean energy. Its also a National Security imperative. Under your leadership, texas made impressive progress and wind Energy Production but i worry that youve made statements imposing federal involvement to encourage investments in any energies are. With the success that you have seen, i know you must recognize these games couldnt have been made without federal support. The wind industry wouldnt be where it is today without the federal government, and i want to replicate the success that you saw in texas under your leadership. I would like to do that in illinois and across the nation. Will you maintain the support of programs to promote the programs that strive to move us forward in a way from the heavy reliance on fossil fuels. Just as an aside, i want to say thank you for your service. There are people in the room that ha have made a commitment o the country that you have. There is some in this audience that have, that we collectively think you for your service. You and i had a pretty broad range conversation about the alternative renewables that are out there, the least of which is and wind. Aggressively and very positive positively. I think the role as we go forward to continuing to find the technological advances, whether it is on turbines or the blade design or some other aspect. The funding grants that we made was recruiting some top scientists in the world, texas tech university. Im a fiscal conservative, and i dont back away from that. That is a bad jaya where with honor but i do believe that there is a bowl for us to play, but that thboth at the state let the federal level, to continue to put forward funding by the tax payer dollars technologies that can in fact make us more efficient. That is my record, and you cant change the stripes on the zebra. Its the way that i am and what i believe him. The administration knew that when they asked me to serve this role and i am committed to the continuation of using these brilliant scientists the private sector. Whether it is on renewables or ways to use resources that we have in a more efficient, safe and effective manner. They are major employers in illinois. You and i look at length about ways to develop and store and reuse nuclear fuel. They told me i needed to say that. They are from a town that cannot develop valuable lakefront property because there is a decommissioned Nuclear Reactor and that fuel wouldnt have been able to find a way to take care of it. I want to make sure that you are committed to supporting the National Laboratories in the important work they do. In the time to managing that issue it is both a political and management challenge and hopefully, as we go forward we can stand together as a country and talk about a legacy that we finally made substantial progress in removing waste from states to both places near term or long term that address the challenge. We have finished the first round and we will have an opportunity for a considerable period of time to move quickly through the second round and not put you through to much more. I am here at your service. Im looking through my morning cliffs and the front page of the news line, i went to high school and the state bank sign that has the temperature that says it is 52 below the picture is cooled back home and when its cold, you need to stay warm. When we talk about the Energy Policies in alaska we live it more so. The people in fairbanks dont have the benefit of natural gas. They are a community that right now is effectively relying on the home heating fuels of it is expensive to keep the house that i was raised in to keep it warm during the wintertime, so as we look to find solutions, one of the things we are looking to in alaska is the prospect and the ability to access natural gas from the slope and to be able to access the benefit for the benefit of the country. To help us work to facilitate a natural gas pipeline we also have so much more. We dont have a lot of solar right now. If changes very soon. We have incredible opportunities. 24 of the Energy Produced in the state come to us from hydropower. An amazing resource down in the southeastern parts of the state. Unfortunately, it is viewed as a renewable resource and i would like to work to change that with you but we also have 33,000 miles of coastline. That is a lot of water and tidal energy and it is bountiful. We have the biomass potential. We have again, pioneered it in so many different ways we want to be able to utilize the microcredit right now the definition says you have to have the ability to connect and disconnect. If you dont have it in the first place we need to work with you as the incoming secretary to make sure we are not standing in the way. They are working to help facilitate this. We need you to help us cut through a lot of what has been put in place that hold back the innovation that keep the people in fairbanks right now that are trying to stay warm and its costing a pretty penny to do so to give them the assurances that theyve got options. So, i look forward to working with you on some of those specifics. One of the things we dont have in alaska is and all of the above c. We dont have any nuclear. We have a small population, you know that. But the prospects for a small modular reactors and senator risch almost got to his question here so i would like to have you address that if you talk about the broad panoply of energy options. The potential for small remote communities or whether it is our military installations, some of our Forward Operating base outposts they do the reliance on the fuel supplies that can be lifethreatening. Including the more advanced reactors i think pulled great prospect for us. Can you speak to how you view the role for advanced nuclear and small modular reactors . Im not sure that i could more eloquently than you have. The type they should be engaged with what the funding. I would share with you that i could help you in any small or other way. There needs to be legislation on the micro grid issue and i would be more than happy to help you do that. It makes good sense. Again, this is the old classic one side doesnt fit all. It may be a really great idea. My home state happens to not be attached to the federal grade either and it works pretty well for us. We are a diverse country. We have a lot of different geography. We have different people. We have different regions. To thoughtfully puthoughtfully e Energy Policies that take into account that diversity is important to you have my commitment. I am obviously a very strong supporter of this new technology. We want to look at it from a safety standpoint and from the standpoint of being able to secure it properly but there are places and we had that conversation that particularly from a military application to power the spaces of which you have a number of in your home state may be a good starting point on those and then plug them in sql to the nearby neighborhoods and have that alternative form of energy that can in fact make it available and affordable. Thank you. I know we said we are going to a second round but senator sanders has not had an opportunity to ask a question so we will turn to him. August 17, 2011. The republican president ial candidate said he doesnt believe in Global Warming advocates grounded in scientists manipulating data for financial gain. Gain. He said the climate is changing, but it has been changing quote ever since the earth was formed. He added, quote, the issue is politicized, and argued america shouldnt spend billions of dollars addressing a scientific theory that hasnt been proven and from my perspective more and more is being put into question. That position has studied Climate Change impact the scientists i hear from believe Climate Change is the great planetary Environmental Crisis that we face and we need to move forward aggressively to transform our Energy System away from fossil fuel to Energy Efficiency and sustainable energy. Do you still hold the views you expressed in 2011, number one and number two, governor, do you agree with those scientists whether it is absolutely imperative that we transform the Energy System away from fossil fuel to the Energy Efficiency so that we can leave this planet in a way that is healthy and habitable for our kids and future generations . Senator, i believe that Climate Change. I believe some of it is naturally occurring and i believe some of it is caused by manmade activity. The question is how do we address it in a thoughtful way that doesnt compromise Economic Growth and quite frankly doesnt affect our energy affordability. Senator murkowski talked about the individuals in her state a governor, i dont need to be rude, but we only have a period of time, i apologize. But senator cantwell made i think an important point on this, and that is we are in danger of spending go god knowsw many millions of dollars to repair the damage done by Climate Change. The drought is becoming a major crisis. It will affect agriculture in a very significant way. And basically, what im asking you, lets get beyond the rhetoric and you dont have to agree with the come of the scientists i talked to i think the majority that studied this issue feel that Climate Change is a Global Crisis. Its not a question of balancing this and that. It is a Global Crisis that requires massive cuts in carbon and transformation of the Energy System. How do you respond to that . I would like getting past the rhetoric and that means looking at the record. I think its important for us to talk about the 12 largest economies in the world why zero why does the governor because youre asking me what am i going to do im asking if you agree in the Scientific Community that Climate Change is a crisis and that we need to transform our Energy System to protect future generations. Senator, i will respond that i think having an academic discussion, whether its with scientists or whether its with you, it is an interesting exercise. But do i have a record of affecting the climate in the world and in the country the answer is yes when you lower Carbon Emissions by 17 and sulfur dioxide by 66 , dont you think that is a good thing . I think what would be a better thing is for you to say right now that you recognize we have a Global Crisis and the United States of america should help lead the world working with china, russia to transform the Energy System. System. With the transform to another area. You mentioned in your opening remarks more than 60 of the budget deals with nuclear energy. I and Many Americans were concerned about president elect trumps remarks regarding allowing for supporting more countries around the world to get Nuclear Weapons. The United States under democratic and republican administrations for many decades now have been strong in saying that we want not to be testing Nuclear Weapons. Can you give us some assurances that you are within the mainstream saying the testing of Nuclear Weapons is a dangerous idea . What i can tell you is i think it is reall its really ir the United States to have a Nuclear Arsenal that is modeled as safe. At this particular point in time, i think if we had the general here, he would tell you that its probably the case. The question was dealing with nuclear testing. Guesser. Thats what i was getting to is that obviously, the scientists that we have at the doe and the private sector, i am going to rely upon their observations of whether there is a clear technical ability to use the technology that we have today. I think anyone would be of the opinion that if we dont ever have to test another Nuclear Weapon, that would be a good thing not just for the United States, but for the world. Thank you. Senator lee. Thank you madam secretary and governor for being with us. Thanks for your willingness to be considered for this position. I want to talk to you about a couple things that relate to the department that you will be heading if he were confirmed. One of them relates to uranium, something that senator barrasso mentioned a little bit earlier. I worry when the government gets involved in any marketplace especially if it gets involved and distorts the market place. In some instances, it gets involved in a way that picks winners and losers often favoring large wealthy corporations over numerous startups by their very nature they tend to have a harder time gaining access to capital, whether it is from the government or private sector sources. In other instances, the government gets involved and occupies the market and takes over the whole market. One of those areas relates to the department of Energy Excess uranium inventory plan. The privatization act prohibits the department of energy from selling or transferring excess uranium if the sale or other transfer what harm the domestic uranium industry. And you can understand why a policy might be in place. It is an industry that is destroyed by Government Action might cause us harm down the road when government resources, government stockpiles dry up. Its between 200 29 and 2011, Te Department transferred more uranium than it was allowed to transfer under the 2008 plan and in 2012, the gao found the department of energy violated federal law i and received no compensation for a very large transfer of uranium which costs taxpayers nearly 200 million. Furthermore, the department of energy 2013 access uranium inventory Management Plan that eliminated all annual caps on the transfer of excess uranium. This introduced a tremendous amount of uncertainty and hazards within the domestic uranium industry. So if you are confirmed for this position, what can you tell what you have the opportunity after being confirmed to update the department of energy Management Plan with regards to excess uranium. Can you assure us that your plan will take into account the existence of a commercial domestic uranium market and one that honors the market and then stick to plan their after . Senator lee, thank you. With you and senator, you helped me to understand this issue substantially better than before i came into your office us. Thank you for that. As i further come up to speed, a broad look at this you correctly identify this as a budgetary management issue at the department of energy. And again, i just would like to remind folks that for 14 years i delivered a budget to the texas legislature, we prioritized and that is my commitment to you, senator, to manage this Agency Working with members of this finance committee to find the dollars to accomplish the goals that we have at the department. The wall clearly states that this cannot and should not have been to manipulate the uranium supplies and i will follow the law in this country. I have a few seconds left and i want to get out one more point. The Nuclear Waste policy act creates an obligation that is contractual and obligates the department to dispose of nuclear fuel. Finally, weve got about 75,000 tons of Nuclear Waste stored at the onsite facilities across the country. At the department of energy started developing the Waste Disposal siding that was halted by the administration in 2010. But in the meantime, the governments breach in this pred and its failure to finish this and provide the disposals cost the taxpayers 5. 3 billion in damages and that could mount up to 23 or 24 billion the next few years. I would like to know what you plan to do about that when we move forward. Not addressing the issue directly, i want to ask for the privilege to come up to speed from the standpoint of at the doe and then the legal aspects of this. But i have a history as i said in the Committee Earlier of solving problems, of being a manager and looking at alternatives outside of what we have historically looked at before. My commitment and my hope as we have as a legacy in this committee, the congress, the administration, for america committed after 30 years of kicking the can down the road, whether it is for whatever reason but to start seeing clear, definitive evidence of addressing this issue and moving to temporary and or permanent sightings of the Nuclear Waste. Thank you. Thank you madam chair. Thank you madam chair. Governor, keeping on the same theme, thank you for mentioning this in your statement and testimony. Obviously you know a little bit about its producing plutonium and the history that its an abomination. Obviously we now want to see a commitment as we asked for every Energy Secretary for cleaning up the site and moving forward on waste Treatment Plant construction. So, are you committed to funding the cleanup and what it takes to get the waste Treatment Plant finished . I am committed to working with you and prioritizing what is one of the most dangerous most polluted sites that we have in this country. The countrys commitment to do this has been a failure from my perspective, and i will work with you on a very, very diligently this up to and including coming into him for and walking beside with you and the men and women of the labor unions bear to hear their concerns so that they know there is a secretary of energy and there is an administration that is committed to making true movement. It is a complex problem. Thanks for recognizing the fact that arguably one of the most technical cleanup projects in the world. Will you work with us on the cleanup . One of my goals and i hope one of my strong suits is going to be to reach out to governors and members of the legislature who have had the challenges. Obviously working with the committee to find the collaborations an, theres goino be the private sector, the state to make this happen and doing it in a streamlined and efficient way. You have my commitment, yes maam. Is the committee dealt with Nuclear Waste conversations in the last congress and the secretary published an article encapsulating the plaintiff what happened on this issue. First, the Blueribbon Commission that was formed by the former chair and colleagues who spend time on this issue and basically said one of the ideas would be to separate from commerciacommercial waste becauu might be able to get it done in a more rapid time period. And secon Second Coming is, it y advocated for the consensus process them at the notion that we have spent time and money trying to do something that there are great objections to him stymieing the process. They were looking for a process where states would be Holding Material and done in a consensus fashion. Do you support the commissions recommendations . Until i have the opportunity to sit and truly go over it, i think that it would be a bit unfair for me to tell you absolutely without having read this at length. As a general rule and observation of what weve talked about, working with the states, having been in Public Service now for 30 plus years, finding the consensus is what i did. It makes ultimate good sense to do that. Sometimes the consensus is hard to reach, and i know the complexities of the issue relatively well. Not as well as i will when we go forward. A very big part of the budget is ten to 15 . Just on the hanford site. So notwithstanding the comments of my colleague from utah, i think the committee in the senate approach has been with our colleagues senator alexander in tennessee and our colleague from california and the legislation that they have endorsed on the other side of the equation has been to say lets look at the discussion with states, whether it is new mexico or texas or those that arare on their way or planning various activities of trying to plan for the lowlevel waste. Not the whole hnot a whole is pa faster way to get solutions and get the sites cleaned up and get the process moving bennet contracted battles so the Blueribbon Commission was a Bipartisan Group of experts. Brent scowcroft and lee hamilton and a whole variety of people that made the recommendations. I would be open to having those conversations in finding the solutions to the challenge. Since you have that dont mess with texas attitude that comes to the grid, will you make sure that they are not privatized tax i look forward to coming out of their and what they are doing. One thing i wanted to add, theres the workers and making sure that they are safe during the cleanup. It may be one of our most important duties making sure that those men and women that are working on the appropriate protections that they deserve and have earned. Senator. Governor, i want to followup on some of the conversations you had with senator cantwell on the cleanup and inheriting the cleanup of the legacy waste from the entire atlas alamos for example itll take about 4 billion over the next few decades to finish that effort. That effort isnt as technically complicated as the site, but it requires resources. If the budget is flat and have your hands full on this run that we have heard of the potential hiring freeze and we had an article this morning from the hill talking about substantial portions back to 2008 levels. This is a Transition Team article. How are you going to meet the commitment to the states like new mexico and states Like Washington who have agreements on these cleanup efforts if we have a smaller budget over the 14 years and actually i will expand it, for the 30 years i was either a state representative appropriator, i was an agency head or eight years and then i was the governor for 14 years who did a white governing as well. We had a budget that did this, they wind up and down. We had some really tough budgets in the state of texas in 1985 and 1987 in particular. I was an appropriator during that time and as an agency head, i got to deal with what i was given and i went over and negotiated as good as hard as i could and as the governor of the state, it wasnt always blue skies and smooth sailing. In 2003, we showed up with a 10 billiondollar shortfall in the state so ive had this experience of dealing with budget shortfalls. Im not sure that i ever ran into a time somebody said you have all the money that you will need. Thats mbut my history is i knoo manage, i know how to prioritize and i will make that commitment to you, senator. Managing and prioritizing the budget inside of the agency will be very high for me, and i hope this gives some comfort that this is not my first rodeo when it comes to dealing with budget shortfalls. Related to that and i want to thank you for your comments and ask about the waste isolation facility in carlsbad new mexico. You may know this is the only waste from the Weapons Program into tiberi important part of the cleanup effort. It was closed for nearly three years as the result of two serious accidents. We just reopened last month. The investigations cited lack of proper management as one of the root causes and i want to ask you to assure me and the people of new mexico that the safe operation of proper maintenance will be a Budget Priority and also management priority. Senator, i hope again that my history of managing a rather large entity i want you to tell you he we got everything right every day that it was a very wellmanaged place. When there were mistakes made, i held people accountable. I consider my accountability not only to be to this administration cut to the committee and to the congress, but also to the people of the country, the people of your state. I want my neighbors and new mexico to know there is a secretary of energy that will not only come to the site but also hear their concerns whether they are employees or people who live around the communities that every reasonable and thoughtful effort will be made so not only does it stay open because the powerful Economic Impact it has on your state but also the people that work there are going to be safe. You have my commitment. I very much appreciate your willingness to spend the first few months of your tenure getting to places like the facility. You are going to be doing a lot of traveling in the first few months, which we appreciate. Thank you, governor. I know in our meeting you committed to that as well. Staying on the line of questioning because people have a lot on her plate when it comes to the cleanup and disposal of highlevel and lowlevel Nuclear Waste. One of the sites is that nevada nationathe nevadanational securs established in 1950 to perform nuclear within testing activities. There are three main areas of focus which is groundwater contamination cleanup, lowlevel Environmental Monitoring and reporting. Are you committed to continuing the cleanup of the National Security site . Of course, senator. I hope he can as the chairman mentioned im going to be traveling a lot and i wont be coming to nevada, [inaudible] we will go to the site to take a good appraisal and continue to prioritize the cleanup. I think everybody on the committee would agree that one of the main priorities and keeping the arsenal safe, modernizing but prioritizing the funding and managing to clean up the waste site is going to be very high on the priority list. Do you support storing Nuclear Waste at Yucca Mountain . Im not going to have a definitive answer. Absolutely no way in hell. I heard that from senator hell heller, the governor and from you pretty loud and clear that i think what you need to hear from me is im going to be looking at the alternative plac space to be to address this issue. We have taught for 30 years been able to address it and if there are legitimate alternatives that keep people of nevada happy, thats even better. But i will not sit here in front of you in the Committee Meeting and leave absolutely no way is nevada going to be the recipient of any highlevel waste. Thats what but i dont tell yol work with you everyda you everys the senators that there are places in this country that are willing to have the conversation and i think we need to have an open conversation. I was for bringing highlevel waste. I seem to manage to get reelected every time i ran. The issue is one that if we are wise and thoughtful and respectful, we use good science, we can find a solution to this. There were 29 operating Geothermal Power plants employing potentially 6,375 individuals directly and indirectly and we have been able to do so and create these jobs producing Clean Energy Power plants with the support of the technologys office. Will you committed to pushing for Adequate Funding for the Technology Office to continue researching Geothermal Energy . I think all of the above means all of the above. Where you and i will probably have a more pointed conversation is adequate, the word adequate and as i shared in my remarks earlier, the prioritization and Good Management of budget can go a long way. There was the forged lab project. I would ask for your commitment and support and continuing to support this type of projects. As i have become more knowledgeable of the population, my soninlaw has been a few times so he can easily pointed out to me. Senator franken. Governor, as you know, the department of Energy Budget is directed towards the Nuclear Weapons program. The United States already has the worlds most formidable Nuclear Arsenal and we currently maintain approximately 4,000 Nuclear Weapons. It is a member that is much bigger than we need to maintain an effective deterrent and yet we are on track to spend more than a trillion dollars over the next three decades to sustain and refurbish the Delivery Systems and their supporting infrastructure. This plan was launched in a different budget air and i can tell you that various experts believe that this investment will significantly hamper the ability of the United States to respond to conventional and unconventional threats that we may face. Would you be open to altering the current Modernization Program if it is clear that significant taxpayer savings can be achieved while still meeting the term requirements . I will address your remarks by saying i understand my role as being the secretary of energy being the manager of that agency. From my perspective, the issues that you bring forward, which are legitimate issues to talk about as a country that those that lie in your purview in the Congress Making decisions i would suggest relative to the numbers by the funding stream and what have you so i will be following the statutes and the walls that were put in place for the tip to those issues. You may have influence in this so let me alert you of these are weapons we are never going to use, we hope, a trillion dollars over 30 years. While we are on the topic of Nuclear Weapons as you know your predecessor played a key part in negotiating the deal and its limits which have blocked the potential. January 22 letter president elect trumped, 37 of the nations top scientists wrote in some they dramatically reduce the risk that iran could produce these materials. They concluded that the technical judgment is that the multilateral provides a strong bulwark against the Nuclear Weapons program and urged them to preserve this strategic ass asset. The stockpile was cut by 97 to 300 kilograms the amount needed for the single Nuclear Weapon with further enrichment in iran to reduce its centrifuges by two thirds. The Nuclear Enrichment level is 3. 67 , way below the weapons grade and at the core of the reactor will redesign the facility so that it will not produce the weapons grade plutonium. Given the nonproliferation benefits as the secretary of energy, i hope that you will make an effort to talk to people who support the deal and i hope he will speak with the Intelligence Community because they will tell you its not just in the National Interest but also the National Security and i would urge you to advise the president elect to not get out of this deal. I think that would be bad for the country. I just want to make a pitch to you. I think nonproliferation is a good thing and i havent had a classified briefing yet until i am confirmed and i would ask each of you for your concern but i will not be as knowledgeable about this deal with specificity that to say there may be a role we have to play again but i had a classified briefing to make sure that they are living out. Senator . I appreciate your comments and i think one of the most Important Roles is monitoring and working with the agency to make sure that iran is living up to the deal, and i know that is a very important responsibility. In terms of the arrangement in if so, theyve gotten their benefit from the deal that would release the sanctions. Now the burdens we would only be hurting ourselves because they wouldve gotten what they wanted and we would have released them from the restrictions of the agreement. Two things, very short. All he needs to do is say yes twice. One of them is it sounds like a wedding. Yes, exactly. In your case it appears to have worked out beautifully. To invite you to the university of our university has a relationship as you mentioned we talked about texas tech to the department of energy lab and in fact senator collins and i are going to be there next week a week from tomorrow with people from oak ridge, it is an amazing facility, offshore wind, testing facility, and nanotechnology, three d. Printing and i think he would find it very illuminating so i would like to have you come up and more like june or july and february, we would accept that. I will be there. That is the right answer. The second issue i want to commend, we talk a lot about the energy sources. One of the most interesting developments as homes making their own energy from a storage demand response Energy Efficiency. The cheapest kilowatt hour of all is the one we dont use, so theres enormous potential. The department has been doing research and i just hope he will continue to Pay Attention to that as a part of the overall about strategy that includes distributed energy and Energy Produced at the home level and things like efficiency storage demand response. When you talk about the connectivity issue are you talking about smart meters . We had a program in my state that we helped give incentives to and its been quite successive so those are the type frankly that ive been very supportive of. Thank you for your testimony in patients over a long morning. We appreciate you visiting here and how long the nomination hearings go. But they are the longest for those that are sitting on that side of the table, and we appreciate it. I have no further questions. Senator cantwell had a couple clarifications. If he can get your response on the Smart Buildings and Energy Efficiency committees have been successful programs that have saved millions of dollars for those that own the building facilities. I was out while you were dialoguing back and forth between the treasury hearing into this meeting and i think you gave her a commitment that i want to make sure you than all the discussion we have had in the press but you understand the Office Capabilities on cyber and storage and transforming the grid and althat. And all the thio that office. Most important aspects of the agency, senator. Cyber, i hope i have made a deep impact on the committee about finding the solutions particularly on the cyber site. Site. There is work we will be able to do in the supercomputing side. Electricity support wholeheartedly. Whatever the name of the committee, excuse me, the name of the agency needs to be. Sometimes there is renaming, and i dont intend to do that off the top of my head. But to those functions under the agency today, there is a great support in general as we dive into this working with your office and the rest of the committee. If i might come thank yo, thanke opportunity to be here. This is important business and an important agency. If i am fortunate to be confirmed, and i hope i get the support of each and every one of these as we go forward, but i am committed to working with you and being a partner in this process and to truly make america and Energy Independent place that has an extraordinary future for our children and the country into the environment and the world. Thank you, governor. We appreciate the time you have given us today, the testimony that he placed on the record and a willingness to answer the questions of virtually every member on the committee. We only had two members that were not able to be in attendance today. We would certainly encourage submission prior to that if at all possible. I would also ask unanimous consent to support the record of the hearing and i would ask members to sit at any of their own to the chief cleric. But again, governor, thank you and i would also like to thank your family thats been there not only supporting the behind you in the hearing because they have supported you for your professional career and the leadership in texas and now the willingness to step forward and i would also acknowledge the sacrifice and service. We honor you and all those that have served us. But with that, again the committee stands adjourned. [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] republican senators bill cassidy and Susan Collins announced their plans to replace the Affordable Care act with what they are calling the patient freedom act. They contrasted their bill with the existing healthcare. This is 30 minutes