Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for calling this hearing.

I welcome all the nominees. I am pleased that President Bush has assembled a fine team to manage the challenging job of running the Department of Energy. The Department faces monumental problems and challenges, and these gentlemen will have their work cut out for them.

The year 2000 was not a very good year for America's energy picture. We experienced large increases in gasoline prices. We also saw record-breaking price hikes for natural gas. This year does not look any better for gasoline prices. Summer is still a few weeks away and gasoline prices are already skyrocketing. The electricity crisis in California is alarming. The heart of the world's high technology industry is cut off from its lifeline. Rolling blackouts and brownouts are simply not acceptable. Other parts of the nation may be at similar risk. The Department faces an enormous challenge in carrying out its cleanup program. The Department needs to strengthen and enhance the nation's science and technology capabilities. These are a few items awaiting action by our nominees in their new positions.

The expertise of the nominees before us today is needed to overcome these challenges and problems. Their qualifications are impressive, and they are capable of leading the Department in the execution of its mission.

Mr. Francis S. Blake has outstanding managerial credentials. A senior executive for General Electric, Mr. Blake should be an excellent Deputy Secretary. His experience, particularly in the private sector, will be extremely useful in addressing some of the problems faced by the Department.

Mr. Robert Gordon Card, the President's nominee to be Under Secretary, is highly qualified. He has many years of experience dealing with the challenges the Department faces in its environmental management program. His experience at the Department's Rocky Flats Plant has given him strong insight into the problems faced by the environmental management program. Mr. Bruce Marshall Carnes has experience to perform the demanding job of the Chief Financial Officer. His current assignment with the Defense Finance and Accounting Service has given him exposure to diverse financial and accounting issues.

I am particularly pleased to see Mr. David Garman here today, the President's nominee for Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. Dave has been involved with many debates and discussions on energy matters that have taken place in these halls for nearly 20 years. His depth and breadth of knowledge of energy issues is a great asset. Mr. Chairman, the Senate's loss is the Department's gain. But, more important, the nation's interests will be well served with Mr. Garman at the helm of the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.

I would like to make a comment here on an area of great interest to me -- hydrogen research. The Hydrogen Future Act, which I coauthored, was enacted in the 104th Congress. I am working with my colleagues to reauthorize this law in this session of the 107th Congress. I believe the future of hydrogen research will be in good hands with Mr. Garman as Assistant Secretary at the Energy Department.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman, I support all the nominations that we are considering, and hope that they will be confirmed expeditiously.