Hearing of the Energy and Water Development, and Related Agencies Subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee - Fiscal Year 2012 Budget Request for Loan Guarantee Programs and the Advanced Research Programs Agency--Energy

Statement

I would like to call this hearing to order. Good afternoon, everyone. Our hearing today is on the Fiscal Year 2012 budget request for the Department of Energy's loan guarantee programs and the Advanced Research Programs Agency -- Energy. Dr. Majumdar (Ma-Joom-Dar) and Mr. Silver, welcome to the subcommittee.

Chairman Frelinghuysen has said in every hearing this year that it will be highly unlikely that this subcommittee will see an increase in funding in 2012. Let me support his remarks. Our task this budget cycle -- my first in this institution -- is different than in recent years. We're going to have to fund the right balance of investments in our most critical needs, with an eye towards those that protect our nation and that create jobs -- but at a much lower funding level.

I may be new to Congress, but I was mayor of a dynamic town in Arkansas for many years. I know how difficult it is to cut budgets. But I also know that in order to get us out of this mess, we've got to help the private sector create jobs. It's a fine line to walk, because we must not…must not…compete with the private sector or crowd out investment.

Gentlemen, your accounts are some of the newest and most controversial at the Department. I can't tell you that there is unanimous support for your programs. But I can promise you a fair hearing, and an opportunity to show how your activities are a worthy investment of scarce taxpayer funds. I would encourage you to take this opportunity to explain to us how you ensure that you don't compete with the private sector. You can be assured that this subcommittee will be paying close attention to your remarks and answers.

At this point, I will end my remarks. We will have plenty of time to engage in questions.

Please ensure that the hearing record, questions for the record, and any supporting information requested by the subcommittee are delivered in final form to us no later than four weeks from the time you receive them. Members who have additional questions for the record will have until close of business tomorrow to provide them to the subcommittee office.

With that, I will turn to Mr. Pastor for his opening comments.

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