    [Senate Hearing 119-118]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]

                                                            S. Hrg. 119-118

                           BEYER, TRAVNICEK, GARRISH,
                             AND ABBEY NOMINATIONS

    =======================================================================

                                    HEARING

                                   BEFORE THE

                                  COMMITTEE ON
                          ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES
                              UNITED STATES SENATE

                        ONE HUNDRED NINETEENTH CONGRESS

                                 FIRST SESSION

                                       to

     CONSIDER THE NOMINATIONS OF LESLIE BEYER TO BE ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF
      THE INTERIOR (LAND AND MINERALS MANAGEMENT), ANDREA TRAVNICEK TO BE
       ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR (WATER AND SCIENCE), THEODORE
       GARRISH TO BE ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF ENERGY (NUCLEAR ENERGY), AND
          TRISTAN ABBEY TO BE ADMINISTRATOR OF THE ENERGY INFORMATION
                      ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

                                   __________

                                 APRIL 30, 2025
                                   __________

                   [GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]

                           Printed for the use of the
                   Committee on Energy and Natural Resources

            Available via the World Wide Web: http://www.govinfo.gov
                                    ______

                      U.S. GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING OFFICE

    61-234                    WASHINGTON : 2026

                   COMMITTEE ON ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES

                            MIKE LEE, Utah, Chairman
    JOHN BARRASSO, Wyoming               MARTIN HEINRICH, New Mexico
    JAMES E. RISCH, Idaho                RON WYDEN, Oregon
    STEVE DAINES, Montana                MARIA CANTWELL, Washington
    TOM COTTON, Arkansas                 MAZIE K. HIRONO, Hawaii
    DAVID McCORMICK, Pennsylvania        ANGUS S. KING, Jr., Maine
    JAMES C. JUSTICE, West Virginia      CATHERINE CORTEZ MASTO, Nevada
    BILL CASSIDY, Louisiana              JOHN W. HICKENLOOPER, Colorado
    CINDY HYDE-SMITH, Mississippi        ALEX PADILLA, California
    LISA MURKOWSKI, Alaska               RUBEN GALLEGO, Arizona
    JOHN HOEVEN, North Dakota

                      Wendy Baig, Majority Staff Director
                Patrick J. McCormick III, Majority Chief Counsel
                     Jasmine Hunt, Minority Staff Director
                     Sam E. Fowler, Minority Chief Counsel

                                C O N T E N T S

                                  ----------

                              OPENING STATEMENTS

                                                                       Page
    Lee, Hon. Mike, Chairman and a U.S. Senator from Utah............     1
    Heinrich, Hon. Martin, Ranking Member and a U.S. Senator from
      New Mexico.....................................................     3
    Hoeven, Hon. John, a U.S. Senator from North Dakota..............     5
    Murkowski, Hon. Lisa, a U.S. Senator from Alaska.................    20

                                   WITNESSES

    Travnicek, Dr. Andrea, nominated to be Assistant Secretary of the
      Interior (Water and Science)...................................     6
    Beyer, Leslie, nominated to be Assistant Secretary of the
      Interior (Land and Minerals Management)........................    12
    Garrish, Theodore, nominated to be Assistant Secretary of Energy
      (Nuclear Energy)...............................................    16
    Abbey, Tristan, nominated to be Administrator of the Energy
      Information Administration, Department of Energy...............    21

              ALPHABETICAL LISTING AND APPENDIX MATERIAL SUBMITTED

    Abbey, Tristan:
        Opening Statement............................................    21
        Written Testimony............................................    23
        Responses to Questions for the Record........................    72
    Arbogast, S.V.:
        Letter for the Record........................................    80
    Archery Trade Association et al.:
        Letter for the Record........................................    78
    Association of California Water Agencies:
        Letter for the Record........................................    81
    Beyer, Leslie:
        Opening Statement............................................    12
        Written Testimony............................................    14
        Responses to Questions for the Record........................    58
    Capuano, Hon. Linda et al.:
        Letter for the Record........................................    25
    Clark, Michael J.:
        Letter for the Record........................................    84
    Colorado Water Congress:
        Letter for the Record........................................    85
    Crow Nation:
        Letter for the Record........................................    87
    Energy Communities Alliance:
        Letter for the Record........................................    88
    Family Farm Alliance:
        Letter for the Record........................................    91
    Garrish, Theodore:
        Opening Statement............................................    16
        Written Testimony............................................    18
        Responses to Questions for the Record........................    68
    Hanford Communities:
        Letter for the Record........................................    93
    Heinrich, Hon. Martin:
        Opening Statement............................................     3
    Hoeven, Hon. John:
        Introductory Statement.......................................     5
    Idaho Advanced Energy Consortium:
        Letter for the Record........................................    95
    Lee, Hon. Mike:
        Opening Statement............................................     1
    Murkowski, Hon. Lisa:
        Introductory Statement.......................................    20
    National Tribal Energy Association:
        Letter for the Record........................................    97
    Noah Casper, Rebecca L.:
        Letter for the Record........................................    82
    Roane County, TN:
        Letter for the Record........................................    99
    Roberts, Melissa:
        Letter for the Record........................................    77
    Southwestern Water Conservation District:
        Letter for the Record........................................   105
    Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership:
        Letter for the Record........................................   101
    Travnicek, Dr. Andrea.:
        Opening Statement............................................     6
        Written Testimony............................................     9
        Responses to Questions for the Record........................    48
    Tri-City Development Council:
        Letter for the Record........................................   103

                           BEYER, TRAVNICEK, GARRISH,
                             AND ABBEY NOMINATIONS

                                  ----------

                           WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30, 2025

                                           U.S. Senate,
                     Committee on Energy and Natural Resources,
                                                        Washington, DC.
        The Committee met, pursuant to notice, at 10:00 a.m. in
    Room SD-366, Dirksen Senate Office Building, Hon. Mike Lee,
    Chairman of the Committee, presiding.

                  OPENING STATEMENT OF HON. MIKE LEE,
                        U.S. SENATOR FROM UTAH

        The Chairman. The Committee will come to order.
        Before turning to my formal opening statement, I want to
    let members know how we will proceed this morning. I also want
    to thank Senator Heinrich and his staff for working with us.
        Recognizing the demands on the schedule of every Senator,
    and to be as efficient as possible, the Committee meets today
    for a short business meeting, followed immediately after that
    by a hearing on four nominations_two for senior positions
    within the Department of the Interior, and two for senior
    positions within the Department of Energy.
        [Recess to business meeting.]
        The Chairman. We are now going to turn directly into our
    hearing, our fifth nominations hearing for the 119th Congress,
    and we are going to receive testimony from four well-qualified
    Americans nominated by the President for senior offices within
    our Committee's jurisdiction, two at the Department of the
    Interior and two at the Department of Energy.
        I am going to recognize Senator Murkowski to introduce Mr.
    Abbey. She is apparently not here yet, so we will hold off on
    that for a moment. Senator Hoeven has also already recognized
    Dr. Travnicek.
        Senator Hoeven. I can do it again, if you would like.
        The Chairman. Yes.
        Senator Hoeven. Do you want to hear it? I mean, I have a
    lot more to say about her if you want. Martin would probably
    like to hear a lot more, right? I will do another introduction
    if you want.
        The Chairman. That would also be fine.
        [Senator Hoeven's introduction of hearing witness Dr.
    Andrea Travnicek was delivered during the business meeting. The
    text of his introduction appears on page 5 of this hearing
    document, preceding Dr. Travnicek's opening statement.]
        The Chairman. Now, in a moment, Senator Risch, who
    graciously supplied us with the vote necessary to have a
    quorum, has asked that I provide him a quorum in a competing
    markup about to start in the Foreign Relations Committee. So
    here, in just a moment, I will have Senator Hoeven preside in
    my absence. So why don't you get these guys started. I will be
    back in a few minutes.
        Senator Hoeven. That's fine.
        The Chairman. And then, we can give you some notes. If
    Senator Murkowski is not here for the introduction, you can
    introduce the other witnesses, swear them in, and then let them
    begin the opening statements. I will be back soon.
        Thank you.
        Senator Hoeven [presiding]. Are we ready to proceed to have
    the witnesses come forward?
        I want to welcome all of our witnesses here today.
        The rules of the Committee require that all nominees be
    sworn in connection with their testimony. So if you would
    please stand and raise your right hand. Do you solemnly swear
    that the testimony you are about to give the Senate Committee
    on Energy and Natural Resources shall be the truth, the whole
    truth, and nothing but the truth?
        [Witness panel sworn.]
        Senator Hoeven. Let the record show that they all responded
    in the affirmative. Thank you.
        Before you begin your opening statements, I will also ask
    the witnesses three questions that are posed to nominees
    appearing before the Committee.
        First, this will be for all of you, and your response will
    be, ``I do,'' if in fact, you do.
        First, will you be able to appear before this Committee and
    other Congressional Committees to represent Department
    positions and respond to issues of concern to the Congress?
        [All witnesses respond, ``yes.'']
        Senator Hoeven. Second, are you aware of any personal
    holdings, investments, or interests that could constitute a
    conflict of interest or create the appearance of such a
    conflict should you be confirmed and assume the office to which
    you have been nominated by the President?
        [All witnesses respond, ``no.'']
        Senator Hoeven. And third, are you involved or do you have
    any assets in a blind trust?
        [All witnesses respond, ``no.'']
        Senator Hoeven. Thank you.
        All right, I have already introduced Dr. Travnicek, and I
    guess we will just, for right now, we will hold and see if
    Senator Murkowski gets here in time to introduce Tristan Abbey,
    but we will just hold on that introduction for a minute.
        Senator Heinrich. Senator Hoeven.
        Senator Hoeven. Yes.
        Senator Heinrich. Why don't I give my opening statement?
    That will save you a filibuster.
        Senator Hoeven. All right, sounds good.
        [Laughter.]

              OPENING STATEMENT OF HON. MARTIN HEINRICH,
                     U.S. SENATOR FROM NEW MEXICO

        Senator Heinrich. Thank you, Senator Hoeven. Welcome, Ms.
    Beyer, Dr. Travnicek, Mr. Garrish, and Mr. Abbey.
        This is our fifth nominations hearing this year, and
    although the breadth of responsibilities of the offices that we
    are considering is narrowing as we go on, their importance is
    not diminished. We meet this morning to consider three
    assistant secretaries and the Administrator of the Energy
    Information Administration. Each of these offices we are
    considering carries with it enormous responsibilities of the
    utmost importance to the members of this Committee and to the
    American people.
        Ms. Beyer has been nominated to be the Assistant Secretary
    of the Interior for Land and Minerals Management. If confirmed,
    she will oversee four of the principal offices of the
    Department of the Interior: the Bureau of Land Management, the
    Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, the Bureau of Safety and
    Environmental Enforcement, and the Office of Surface Mining.
    All told, she will oversee more than 244 million acres of land
    that belongs to the public, 700 million acres of onshore
    mineral estate, 3.2 billion acres of the Outer Continental
    Shelf, 30 national monuments, and 25 national conservation
    areas. It will be her job to both preserve and protect our
    public lands and to provide for the development of their
    natural resources in a safe and environmentally responsible
    way.
        Dr. Travnicek has been nominated to be the Assistant
    Secretary of the Interior for Water and Science. If confirmed,
    she will oversee two of the oldest bureaus in the Department--
    the Geological Survey and the Bureau of Reclamation. The
    Geological Survey is one of our nation's oldest and most
    respected scientific institutions, and it is our principal
    source of knowledge about our lands and waters, our mineral
    wealth, and the natural hazards we face. The Bureau of
    Reclamation oversees the water supplies upon which millions of
    Americans in 17 western states depend. It manages nearly 500
    dams and nearly 300 reservoirs. It is the second largest
    producer of hydroelectricity and it irrigates 10 million acres
    of land to grow crops on which we all depend.
        Mr. Garrish has been nominated to be the Assistant
    Secretary of Energy for Nuclear Energy. Nuclear power generates
    about 20 percent of the nation's current electricity. It does
    so cleanly and reliably. We cannot do without it. We depend on
    it to meet our energy needs and our climate goals. But the
    current generation of nuclear power plants, built many decades
    ago, will not last forever. At some point, they will need to be
    replaced by newer, safer, and more affordable reactor
    technologies, which will only come about through the sustained
    research and development efforts of the Office of Nuclear
    Energy.
        Finally, Mr. Abbey has been nominated to be the
    Administrator of the Energy Information Administration, which
    collects and analyzes the information about energy resources,
    production, and demand, upon which the Department, Congress,
    private industry, and the public depend.
        Senator Moynihan famously remarked that ``everyone is
    entitled to his own opinion, but not his own facts.'' Each
    Senator is entitled to their own opinion about energy policy,
    but we must share a common set of non-partisan facts. It has
    long been the Energy Information Administrator's task to
    provide those facts, and it is absolutely essential that the
    administrator stick to the facts and not color them with
    partisan opinion.
        But as qualified as each of these nominees may be, no
    single person can perform all of the important tasks with which
    they will be entrusted by themselves. They are not expected to.
    Instead, they are expected to inspire, to manage, and to lead
    organizations staffed with dedicated and experienced
    professionals who have devoted their careers to public service.
    The career civil service in both of these departments and
    across the entire government has been under relentless attack
    by the current Administration. So the fundamental question I
    have for each of the nominees this morning is whether, if you
    are confirmed to these positions of public trust, you will
    support and defend, rather than demolish the offices and
    programs entrusted to your care, and if you will faithfully
    execute the authorities delegated to you by Congress and follow
    the law, as interpreted by the courts.
        Which brings me to something that you said, Mr. Garrish, 42
    years ago, at your first confirmation hearing before this
    Committee. I had to check on that the first time I read that
    line. You gave the Committee your ``unqualified assurance''
    that you would faithfully execute the public trust in a manner
    that would ``properly reflect the legislative intentions of the
    Congress without regard to the political views or personal
    preferences of the Secretary or the Administration'' and that
    you would discharge your duties ``on the basis of your best
    professional judgment as to what the law is, not what you or
    the Secretary or others might like it to be.'' You assured the
    Committee that you were committed to that approach both
    intellectually and philosophically, and I hope that is still
    the case, Mr. Garrish. And I hope that all four of our nominees
    can make that same commitment and give us that assurance this
    morning.
        Thank you, Senator Hoeven.
        Senator Hoeven. Thank you, Senator Heinrich.
        I have already introduced Dr. Travnicek. I am going to give
    brief introductions for the other three. These were prepared by
    the Chairman of the Committee.
        Ms. Leslie Beyer, nominated to be Assistant Secretary for
    Land and Minerals Management, will manage roughly 245 million
    acres of federal service lands and 1.7 billion acres on the
    Outer Continental Shelf. She will oversee the Bureau of Land
    Management, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, and the Office
    of Surface Mining--agencies that shape how we access and
    develop hundreds of millions of acres of public land and
    offshore resources. Ms. Beyer is a defender of American energy,
    recognizing that oil and gas have been fundamental to driving
    our economy and lifting billions of people worldwide out of
    poverty. She understands that America's strength is tied
    directly to our ability to produce reliable, affordable, and
    cleaner energy, especially from our abundant resources here at
    home. This is exactly the kind of leader we need to unlock
    American energy potential, cut through unneeded red tape, and
    drive prosperity.
        Mr. Ted Garrish, nominated as Assistant Secretary for
    Nuclear Energy, will lead America's nuclear energy initiatives.
    Mr. Garrish is uniquely prepared for this role, having served
    in senior nuclear positions dating back to the Reagan
    Administration. Great. He has championed nuclear energy as a
    clean, safe, reliable, and affordable solution already powering
    one-fifth of America. He acknowledges that nuclear power will
    be central to our future and that this technology will ensure
    American energy stability for decades to come.
        And finally, Mr. Tristan Abbey, nominated as Administrator
    for the Energy Information Administration, will oversee the
    independent agency responsible for producing energy data that
    guides policymakers, industry, and consumers. With Mr. Abbey at
    the helm, we will have accurate, objective, and actionable
    energy data crucial to unleashing America's energy strength and
    reclaiming our global leadership.
        Each nominee here today is more than qualified. They
    represent exactly the type of bold leadership America needs
    now. American energy has always been a cornerstone of American
    strength. When we produce energy here at home, we power our
    economy, we lift entire communities out of poverty, and we
    undercut our adversaries. Energy dominance means good jobs,
    strong families, and a safer country. When we unleash American
    production, it's the folks on the rigs, in the trucks, and in
    the plants who win, for the path forward isn't more rules from
    DC, it's more trust in the men and women who know how to get
    the job done. We need pipelines, plants, permits, and a
    purpose.
        President Trump's first 100 days back in office have made
    one thing clear: the America of energy decline is over.
        With that, we will proceed to the opening statements for
    each of the witnesses here today--nominees--and if you would
    proceed, Dr. Travnicek.
        [Senator Hoeven's introduction of Dr. Travnicek, which was
    delivered during the business meeting held immediately before
    the hearing, is inserted below to precede Dr. Travnicek's
    opening statement.]

              INTRODUCTORY STATEMENT OF HON. JOHN HOEVEN,
                    U.S. SENATOR FROM NORTH DAKOTA

        Senator Hoeven. I am introducing this morning Dr. Andrea
    Travnicek, and she has been nominated to be Assistant Secretary
    of the Interior for Water and Science, and she has just got a
    stellar background for that position, and so, I am very pleased
    to provide her introduction, not only because she is a fellow
    North Dakotan, but because of her tremendous background and
    skill set for this position.
        She has some family with her today_her father, Pat, and I
    actually thought she had two sisters, Jean and Heather, but I
    guess Jean is actually her mother, and I was confused when I
    saw them, I thought there were two sisters, but it's really
    great to have you guys here, and of course, I am kidding just a
    little bit.
        Her father Pat has over 40 years, I think, with the United
    States Air Force, both as a pilot in uniform, and also then in
    civilian work as well. And I had the great good fortune when I
    was Governor of North Dakota to fly with him. He flew B-52s,
    and we did a practice run over the State Capitol in Bismarck,
    at about 50,000 feet, which was a lot of fun. And I think the
    only reason we got clearance to do it was maybe because I was
    Governor at the time, I'm not sure, unless you guys were doing
    that all the time and you just didn't bother to tell us,
    because at 50,000 feet, we were way up there, but anyway, a
    great record of service.
        And actually, when I was Governor, I hired Andrea to come
    work for us. She graduated from our outstanding land grant
    university, North Dakota State University, which, of course,
    everybody knows is the home of the Bison. I don't have to tell
    anybody that, certainly on the Republican side, because they
    hear me talk about it quite a bit.
        She was a stellar student, but she was also a stellar
    athlete. She was a tremendous soccer player, and so, just an
    all-star performer all around. I hired her in the Governor's
    office, and after that, she worked for Governor Dalrymple, who
    succeeded me, and then another guy you might have heard of, and
    that is Governor Burgum, who is now the Secretary of the
    Interior. So it's no surprise that he wanted to bring Andrea
    with him, and she, actually, during the first Trump
    Administration, she was the Acting Assistant Secretary for
    Water and Science, so she has got some great background for
    this job.
        And so, I strongly recommend that people support her for
    this position. She is the kind of person who understands_these
    jobs are about getting things done. And Senator King, that
    means working with everybody, even Independents. Not just
    Republicans and Democrats, but Independents, too, to get things
    done, and I highly recommend her and ask for your support for
    her. Thanks, Mr. Chairman.

     STATEMENT OF DR. ANDREA TRAVNICEK, NOMINATED TO BE ASSISTANT
             SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR (WATER AND SCIENCE)

        Dr. Travnicek. Thank you.
        Good morning, Chairman Lee, Ranking Member Heinrich, and
    Members of the Committee. I am both humbled and honored to be
    nominated by President Trump to serve the American people as
    Assistant Secretary for Water and Science at the Department of
    the Interior. Furthermore, I am grateful for the support and
    trust of Secretary Burgum. And thank you, Senator Hoeven, for
    that kind introduction today.
        I would like to begin by recognizing and thanking my
    parents Pat and Jean, and my sister Heather, who traveled from
    North Dakota to be here today, while my grandma, Norma, and my
    nephews, Ethan and Logan, and other family, are cheering me on
    back home. I would also like to thank my friends, colleagues,
    teammates and the Bison-with a ``z''--family, some of whom are
    here today, for their continued guidance and support. I grew up
    in a military family, moving about every three years through
    high school, with roots grounded in northern Minnesota and
    North Dakota. My roots are further tied to an Interior site,
    actually--Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge, located in
    Minnesota--where my parents met. Who knew we would all end up
    here today when Mom asked Dad to go for a walk along the lake.
        Both of my parents set the example early on of the
    importance of serving others, through my dad's 44-year military
    career service to the country that you heard about already, 28
    of those active duty, and through my mom's service temperament
    in her business, work as a travel agent, and as a military
    spouse. Core values of dedication, integrity, and respect for
    others were ingrained at a young age. Our parents also raised
    us to have great respect for the natural world. We visited
    national parks and national wildlife refuges across the country
    between moves and spent summers back at the lake and farm in
    Minnesota. These treasured experiences--hunting, fishing,
    camping, and spending countless hours outdoors on the water,
    set a foundation for my passion for natural resources. Spending
    time in the field or kayaking are still my favorite places to
    be.
        I am a proud graduate of North Dakota State University
    three times over. My master's research was located in the
    Badlands of Theodore Roosevelt National Park, where I conducted
    a land management study to reduce invasive species in the park.
    My Ph.D. research focused on stakeholder perspectives and
    network relationships as they related to lake management
    decisions in Minnesota. For over 20 years, my professional
    career has been connected to the management of natural
    resources in the private, public, and non-profit sectors.
    Through research, grassroots efforts, and working directly with
    landowners, project sponsors, and industries, I have been able
    to quickly provide assessments, identify opportunities, and
    provide solutions to meet management objectives across
    competing frameworks.
        My work with the Army Corps in the Sacramento District
    provided a backdrop to an understanding of the complexities
    associated with the management of water in California.
    Participating firsthand in federal and state regulatory
    processes revealed inefficiencies in the bureaucratic system
    and set my public service mission--to achieve management
    decisions through accountable timely responses, process
    improvements, and collaborative and common-sense approaches. In
    2011, record flooding took place across the State of North
    Dakota, impacting major communities along several rivers. As
    the senior policy advisor to the Governor, I worked with
    various international, federal, state, and local agencies and
    tribal nations to quickly identify changing conditions and
    determine needs. During this time, my parents' house was
    flooded waist-high, and my sister's house was flooded to the
    rooftop. This experience impressed upon me, both professionally
    and personally, the importance of real-time data, timely
    collaborative operations, and long-term management solutions,
    not only within a specific community or state, but within a
    shared watershed.
        While serving in various leadership roles at the Department
    of the Interior during the first Trump Administration, I was
    fortunate to work on several Administration priorities,
    including those related to water and science initiatives. At
    the state level, I led the Department of Parks and Recreation,
    and during my tenure as the first Director of the Department of
    Water Resources, federally recognized tribal nations were added
    as partners for North Dakota cost-share for water projects.
    Over $1.5 billion of state commitments were provided to cost-
    share partners to build both water supply and flood protection
    projects, and access to affordable and reliable water supply
    through two state-owned regional projects was expanded. As we
    look across the West today, maintaining critical water
    infrastructure and managing water resources is crucial.
    Thoughtful, collaborative approaches will be important to meet
    management objectives for water users. And further identifying
    and mapping our nation's own mineral assets and energy assets
    through the U.S. Geological Survey's capabilities will assist
    in fulfilling President Trump's priorities related to
    increasing American mineral production and unleashing American
    energy.
        If confirmed as the Assistant Secretary for Water and
    Science, I will bring my core values and natural resources and
    management experiences to the role. I look forward to leading
    and working again with the dedicated teams of engineers,
    hydrologists, and scientists at the Bureau of Reclamation and
    the U.S. Geological Survey to implement the Bureaus' core
    missions. I commit to working in cooperation with you and with
    the American people as decisions are made, and to implement the
    President and the Secretary's priorities to increase
    accountability and responsiveness, implement innovation over
    regulation, and manage America's resources for American
    prosperity and national security.
        Thank you for meeting with me earlier this week and for
    having me here today. I look forward to answering any
    questions.
        [The prepared statement of Dr. Travnicek follows:]

        [GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]

        Senator Hoeven. Thank you, Dr. Travnicek.
        And now, Ms. Beyer, your opening comments, please.

    STATEMENT OF LESLIE BEYER, NOMINATED TO BE ASSISTANT SECRETARY
             OF THE INTERIOR (LAND AND MINERALS MANAGEMENT)

        Ms. Beyer. Chairman Lee, Ranking Member Heinrich, and
    members of the Committee, it is an honor to appear before you
    today as President Trump's nominee for Assistant Secretary for
    Land and Minerals Management at the Department of the Interior.
    I am deeply grateful to President Trump and to Secretary Burgum
    for their confidence in my ability to ensure responsible
    stewardship of America's public lands for the benefit of all
    Americans. I am also very thankful to have my friends and
    family here today, my parents Stan and Connie, my children
    Grant and Olivia, my oldest son, Ethan, watching us from
    Oklahoma State, where he should be studying for finals, and my
    Godparents, Charlie and Kathie.
        From the time that my Grandfather Leslie began his career
    as a roughneck, and my Great Aunt Faye was one of the first and
    only female toolpushers in the oilfield, we have seen
    extraordinary feats of innovation in energy development that
    took our country from being a net energy importer, to the
    world's largest energy exporter, all while leading the world in
    reducing emissions. Growing up on our family farm in West
    Texas, I have been surrounded by the energy workforce my entire
    life, and I have witnessed firsthand how America has proven
    time and again that we can develop our resources cleaner,
    safer, and more efficiently than anyone else in the world. The
    advanced drilling equipment, the e frac systems, and the
    underwater remote vehicles that I am involved with today are
    vastly different than the tools of my grandparents' time, but
    the commitment to responsible production and the respect of our
    natural resources remains with me.
        From spending my birthday weekend each year in Alaska
    hiking glaciers and running the Anchorage half marathon, to our
    annual family dove hunting season opener, and now managing my
    own farm, my family taught me to love and appreciate our lands,
    public and private. The Assistant Secretary for Land and
    Minerals Management plays a critical role in balancing multiple
    uses of our public lands, recognizing the lands as a vital
    asset of the American people and an important contributor to
    our nation's financial health and security. If confirmed to
    serve as Assistant Secretary, I pledge to be a responsible
    steward of more than 245 million acres of surface, 700 million
    acres of subsurface, and over three billion acres offshore,
    ensuring that critical energy development takes place alongside
    other important uses of recreation, conservation, grazing,
    timber management, and housing. I appreciate and understand the
    significant responsibilities of the role, with its management
    of the four bureaus--the BLM, BOEM, BSEE and OSMRE. And if
    confirmed, I commit to working collaboratively with the members
    of this Committee regarding the decisions related to the
    Department's stewardship of federal lands and waters, including
    the management and development of their mineral and non-mineral
    resources.
        As a former CEO of an organization representing over
    650,000 U.S. energy workers, and now as a corporate director, I
    have responsibility for executive oversight, governance, and
    the health and safety of a combined global workforce of over
    10,000 men and women. I bring a record of leadership and
    extensive experience managing large organizations, qualities
    that I will carry into the role of Assistant Secretary.
    Throughout my career in both the public and private sectors, I
    have emphasized collaboration, and will bring this approach to
    the Department of the Interior, working closely with states,
    tribes, local communities, and industry to develop decisions
    that benefit all. I also commit to ensuring that the bureaus
    under my authority carry out the directives established by
    Congress. This includes working to ensure that lease sales are
    conducted on a regular and predictable basis, providing the
    certainty necessary for long-term investment, meeting our
    national resource needs, and fulfilling the requirements of the
    law amid rapidly growing energy demand.
        As a young White House staffer 20 years ago, I served on
    multiple trips overseas as efforts were made to secure oil and
    gas imports due to our perceived national energy scarcity. In
    the following years, in my career in the energy services and
    equipment sector, I had a front-row seat to the shale
    revolution that has taken us from energy scarcity to energy
    abundance and enabled the ability to strategically provide
    resources to our allies. It has driven my passion for American
    innovation, energy resilience, and respect for our nation's
    resources.
        I appreciate meeting with many of you and learning of your
    specific focus areas in public lands management. And if
    confirmed, I will always keep at the forefront of my mind the
    critical mission of protecting and managing our natural
    resources, ensuring that we fully utilize our federal lands and
    waters to benefit all Americans. Thank you for the honor of
    appearing before you today, and for considering my nomination.
    I look forward to answering your questions.
        [The prepared statement of Ms. Beyer follows:]

        [GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]

        Senator Hoeven. Thank you, Ms. Beyer.
        And now, Mr. Garrish.

       STATEMENT OF THEODORE GARRISH, NOMINATED TO BE ASSISTANT
                  SECRETARY OF ENERGY (NUCLEAR ENERGY)

        Mr. Garrish. Chairman Lee, Ranking Member Heinrich, members
    of the Committee, and professional staff, thank you for the
    opportunity to appear today as the nominee for the position of
    Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Energy at the U.S. Department
    of Energy. It is truly an honor to appear before the Committee,
    and I appreciate the confidence President Trump and Secretary
    Wright have shown in nominating me for this role.
        First, I would like to thank my family, and especially my
    wife, Dory Stacks, who has been my strength and support as I
    embark on this position and this important task. Unfortunately,
    due to a scheduling conflict, she has to watch this on the web,
    although I have a number of friends here and colleagues that
    have joined me today.
        My career has largely been devoted to energy, mainly in the
    field of nuclear. And much of my time has been spent devoted to
    public service, largely at the U.S. Department of Energy,
    originally as General Counsel and later as Assistant Secretary
    for Nuclear Energy and also in Congressional,
    Intergovernmental, and Public Affairs, and most recently, as
    Assistant Secretary for International Affairs. And first, I
    would like to thank Senator Heinrich for the note relative to
    the statement that I made. I cannot believe that it was 42
    years ago, but I can assure the Committee that I abide by those
    same principles today. In addition to energy, I also served as
    Federal Inspector of the Alaska Natural Gas Transportation
    System and as a member of the President's Commission on
    Catastrophic Nuclear Accidents, also known as the Price-
    Anderson Commission.
        Throughout my career, I have worked closely with this
    Committee, and I can remember many late nights working with
    professional staff and Senators assisting with legislative
    efforts, and I hope that that would continue in the future. I
    had the opportunity to serve as Assistant Secretary for Nuclear
    Energy in the late 1980s, and the position was organized
    differently at the time, and nuclear energy faced different
    challenges than it does today. Today we are on the threshold of
    making nuclear a significant contributor to our nation's energy
    future and making a true comeback for this important source of
    affordable, reliable, and safe energy, and to become a source
    for industrial heat for chemical production, mining, and other
    uses. While in the private sector, my time was spent largely on
    nuclear projects. Notably, I often worked with ``newcomer''
    nuclear countries, helping them develop their programs, talent,
    and expertise consistent with the IAEA programs for new nuclear
    nations.
        If I may, let me briefly give you my vision on some of the
    important work that I would hope to achieve if I have the
    privilege of confirmation. First and foremost, as soon as
    feasible, we need to build a new reactor, either a large or
    small--SMR or micro reactor. It is important for us to proceed
    with development of advanced reactors and their licensing and
    siting. Nuclear offers an extraordinary capacity to meet the
    coming increased electrical demand in a reliable, affordable,
    and safe way. This is important, and we need to get on with
    building the next generation of nuclear plants.
        Second, the development of a robust domestic enrichment
    industry is essential for our national security, and we must
    conduct a realistic evaluation of our current system under
    development and determine if our current methodology will work
    and provide the needed actions to protect our national
    security.
        Third, we should evaluate the status of the international
    market for U.S. nuclear developers and supply chains overseas
    to ensure that we maintain strong positioning for U.S. products
    and services and build the long-term relationships needed for
    U.S. companies, building upon our strong nuclear culture with
    the highest standards of non-proliferation. We should also
    consider the further use of intergovernmental agreements to
    promote our U.S. interests.
        And finally, we need to begin to resolve the nuclear waste
    dilemma and work with Congress, communities, and states on
    solutions. If confirmed, it would be my honor to work
    cooperatively with the Congress, especially this Committee, on
    achieving these and other objectives. Hopefully, I can
    contribute to the development of this important energy source.
    Again, I would like to thank you for the opportunity to appear
    today, and if confirmed, I look forward to working with the
    members of this Committee and members of the staff in
    furthering the interests of nuclear energy for the benefit of
    the United States, and I look forward to responding to your
    questions.
        [The prepared statement of Mr. Garrish follows:]

        [GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]

        Senator Hoeven. Thank you, Mr. Garrish.
        And now, we are going to turn to Mr. Abbey, but I would
    like to invite our colleague, Senator Murkowski, who was Chair
    of this Committee for quite a number of years, for an
    introduction of Mr. Abbey.
        Senator Murkowski.

            INTRODUCTORY STATEMENT OF HON. LISA MURKOWSKI,
                        U.S. SENATOR FROM ALASKA

        Senator Murkowski. Thank you.
        It is great to be able to welcome all of you here this
    morning--a pretty incredible group of nominees that we have in
    front of us. Some of you have been around for a while and we
    welcome you back. But it's really my honor to be able to
    reintroduce Tristan Abbey to the Committee. Mr. Abbey is a
    proud alumnus of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee. He
    served on my team from 2012 to 2017. He took a little bit of a
    break and then he came back from 2019 to 2020. So he is
    probably more familiar with this side of the dais over here
    being used to sitting on the benches behind us, but really,
    it's a privilege, it's really an honor to have you in front of
    the Committee at the witness table as the President's choice to
    lead the Energy Information Administration.
        I am going to tell you, as my colleagues, there is nobody,
    there is no one that I have met around here who has spent more
    time with EIA or with CRS. This is a gentleman who digs into
    the issues. He is really smart in the first place, so he knows
    a lot, but he goes so far below the surface to understand, to
    master the issues, and then, applying this knowledge to help us
    make really good policy. He was instrumental in helping us lift
    the crude oil export ban with a strategy and an implementation
    plan that, in my view, was quite remarkable. When I had
    challenges, when I had tough policy questions, I brought
    Tristan into it, and I did so because he is thoughtful, he is
    analytical, he brings rigor to everything. He is a true expert
    in his arena. These are all qualities that we would ask for in
    an EIA Administrator.
        I think it's worth noting that four former EIA
    Administrators agree with me. They have written a letter
    supporting Mr. Abbey. So I would ask unanimous consent for that
    letter to be added to the hearing record, following Mr. Abbey's
    testimony.
        Senator Hoeven. Without objection.
        Senator Murkowski. So Tristan, again, thank you. You did
    extraordinary work for the Committee, and I hope that the
    Committee will recognize that by giving you its strongest
    support. But I am pleased to see you today. I don't know if
    your wife and baby are here, but--yeah, right behind you there.
    We have kind of watched everybody grow up together. So welcome
    back, and it's an honor to introduce you.
        Senator Hoeven. Thank you, Senator Murkowski.
        We will start five-minute rounds of questioning. I want to
    check with our Ranking Member, Senator Heinrich.
        Did I miss somebody?
        Oh, I'm sorry. You want an opening statement too?
        [Laughter.]
        Senator Hoeven. Usually after Senator Murkowski goes, you
    know, with her all her time as Chairwoman, nobody can improve
    on that, but in your case, Mr. Abbey, we are going to let you
    go ahead with an opening statement.

     STATEMENT OF TRISTAN ABBEY, NOMINATED TO BE ADMINISTRATOR OF
                 THE ENERGY INFORMATION ADMINISTRATION

        Mr. Abbey. Thank you very much, Senator Hoeven, and Senator
    Murkowski for that wonderful introduction. Thank you, Chairman
    Lee, Ranking Member Heinrich, and members of this Committee. It
    is an honor to appear before you today. I am grateful to
    President Trump for the nomination to serve as Administrator of
    the Energy Information Administration and to Energy Secretary
    Chris Wright for his confidence in me to serve in this
    position.
        My wonderful wife, Jenn, is in attendance. It was during my
    first tour here on the Committee's staff that I met her, and
    during the second that we were married. Our two children are a
    bit too young for this event, but in due time, I hope they
    watch the video. These three ladies--Jenn, Evelyn, and
    Josephine--bring more joyful light into my life than I ever
    could have imagined. When I was a kid, my parents, Phil and
    Wilawan, led my brother Ian and me on a couple of great
    adventures to the Middle East. Abqaiq leaves a lasting
    impression on a kindergartener and a teenager doesn't forget
    the Suez Canal. I can never thank my dad and mom enough for
    showing us the world in all of its richness. Times weren't
    always easy, but I hope they don't regret it, because I never
    will.
        I could never have predicted the path of my career, one
    possible only here in the United States. After a brief stint in
    finance, I arrived here on Committee staff in 2012. Eager to
    learn, I worked on the economics of basically all things
    energy, even dabbling in the lands portfolio, the complexity of
    which makes the electric grid look like a game of tic-tac-toe.
    In many ways, I grew up here on the Committee staff. In 2017, I
    was honored to join the first Trump Administration, initially
    on the ``beach head'' team at the Department of Energy, and
    later the National Security Council and National Economic
    Council staff.
        Following my time at the White House Complex, I returned
    here to the Committee staff, where I worked on Washington's
    response to the COVID-19 pandemic, when the oil price fell
    below zero. Serving the American people in various roles within
    the Federal Government has been the honor of my life. Each of
    these public-sector opportunities was a blessing. None of this
    work could have been accomplished without frequent and
    persistent engagement with the EIA. Some will say that the
    Administrator of the EIA should not have this deep level of
    exposure to the policymaking world. On the contrary, leadership
    that understands the demands of policymaking and the needs of
    policymakers is exactly what the EIA requires at this critical
    time.
        If confirmed as Administrator, I would have three
    priorities. First, as a member of the President's team, I would
    fulfill my statutory role of providing objective energy data
    and analysis to the American people and to policymakers--in
    Ranking Member Heinrich's term, the ``common set of nonpartisan
    facts.'' Having served inside the government at both ends of
    Pennsylvania Avenue and outside, as a think-tanker and private-
    sector consultant, I have seen EIA from a wide variety of
    perspectives. The reputation that the agency has built is one I
    pledge to steward carefully, if confirmed.
        Second, EIA is in urgent need of revitalization. It is
    still the world's premier energy data agency, but this did not
    happen overnight. Our nation invested billions of dollars and
    nearly fifty years to make it so. If confirmed, I would ensure
    that this investment continues to pay off. In my view, EIA must
    clear the decks of unfinished projects, recruit and retain the
    best talent, develop the most powerful analytical abilities,
    and modernize its information systems.
        Finally, I believe that existing Congressional mandates for
    EIA should be executed upon. Two stand out in particular. One
    is the expansion of global energy data collection and analysis.
    The other is the establishment of a critical minerals outlook.
    I know that this Committee is particularly interested in both
    issues, and I believe achieving these two goals alone would go
    a long way to placing the EIA on sound footing for a
    generation.
        Thank you for your time, and thanks again to President
    Trump and Secretary Wright for their confidence. I look forward
    to your questions.
        [The prepared statement of Mr. Abbey and the letter
    mentioned by Senator Murkowski follow:]

    [GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]

        Senator Hoeven. Thank you, Mr. Abbey.
        At this point, we will kick off five-minute rounds of
    questions. I do want to check with the Ranking Member to see if
    he had anything before we begin the questions.
        Senator Heinrich. Go ahead.
        Senator Hoeven. Okay, thank you.
        Dr. Travnicek, if confirmed, will you prioritize the
    development and maintenance of western water infrastructure to
    ensure communities, farmers, and ranchers continue to have
    access to reliable and affordable water supplies?
        Dr. Travnicek. Thank you, Senator Hoeven, for that
    question. We know that infrastructure for water supply is
    extremely important across the West. We were making sure in the
    State of North Dakota that we had resources to make sure that
    we were able to get that affordable, reliable water supply to
    people. So if confirmed in this role, yes, I am committed to
    working toward that as well.
        Senator Hoeven. Thank you.
        Also, talk about the importance that USGS continues on a
    regular basis to update estimates of recoverable oil and gas
    reserves and talk about what you can do to continue to enhance
    that energy development.
        Dr. Travnicek. Senator, as it relates to the USGS, we know
    that their body of work is extremely important. They play a
    critical role as it relates, not only to the critical mineral
    list, but also as it relates to oil and gas assessments. So
    making sure that we have the expertise on that and to be able
    to keep up with those studies and those demands that we are
    seeing to make sure that we have that dominance of energy here
    in America, so yes, so continue to work on that as well.
        Senator Hoeven. What are your top three priorities? What
    are the top three things you are going to accomplish going in
    to the position?
        Dr. Travnicek. Senator, if confirmed, the top three
    priorities that I would be looking at--we know that there is a
    lot of discussion right now related to the Colorado River. We
    have some looming deadlines that are in front of us next year.
    So we are going to have to work really closely with those seven
    states within the Basin. At the same time, also, the critical
    minerals list. We know that that is due this year. We are going
    to have to be working really closely with our federal agencies,
    our different stakeholders, the public, as we work to get that
    list put together, get that updated based on what we are
    hearing from the public. And then, getting back to where we
    started the conversation earlier, looking at infrastructure. We
    know that we have drought across the West, across the country,
    so we are going to have to look at all those different tools in
    the toolbox, making sure that we have modernized systems out
    there, making sure that we are looking at aquifer recharge,
    looking at water reuse, wastewater. So really just looking at
    that suite of possibilities as we try to get water where it's
    needed.
        Senator Hoeven. Thank you.
        Ms. Beyer, we have a lot of resources that are owned by the
    public, but that interface with private ownership as well. And
    so, BLM runs across that all the time. Are you committed to
    maximizing access to development of those resources in a
    responsible manner? And will you work with me on my North
    Dakota Trust Lands Completion Act, which helps make sure that
    everyone is treated fairly in that development, whether it's a
    public interest or a private interest?
        Ms. Beyer. Yes, sir, Senator, I appreciated our visit about
    that, and if I am confirmed, I absolutely look forward to
    working with you. There are multiple uses there for those
    lands, and if confirmed, like I said, I look forward to working
    with you on that.
        Senator Hoeven. How about NEPA timelines, right? I mean,
    because delay can be defeat, right? We need certainty out there
    for everybody, for all involved. So what about these NEPA
    timelines and getting things done, again, in a transparent,
    responsible way, but getting things done?
        Ms. Beyer. Sir, I think we can all agree that permitting
    should be streamlined. This Committee has done extraordinary
    work on that. And if I am confirmed, I hope to work with this
    Committee moving forward, but absolutely, you know, coming from
    the oil fields services sector of the business, this is a
    650,000-plus workforce that develops energy in the U.S., and if
    our companies can't get permits to produce, permits to build
    transmission, we will be behind in answering the increasing
    energy demand. And so, that, sir, is a top priority for me, is
    to be able to assist and help with getting a more reasonable
    timeline on our permitting system.
        Senator Hoeven. Thank you.
        Mr. Garrish, how are we going to get past some of the
    public perceptions and concerns in regard to nuclear--or, as
    one of my good friends and a former President used to say,
    ``nuclur'' energy. How are we going to develop nuclear energy
    and get people to be comfortable that we are developing it in a
    safe, reliable way with a good management plan for, you know,
    the nuclear waste?
        Mr. Garrish. Well, Senator, nuclear is, in fact, one of the
    safest forms of energy available today. And I think it is a
    matter of communicating with the public and making sure that
    they understand what's happening. We need to make sure that we
    have a good public affairs component to every nuclear plant,
    that the community understands exactly what a nuclear plant is,
    and that the sorts of fears that they have are really
    unfounded.
        Senator Hoeven. So what is the one thing you would say to
    people and want them to remember in regard to safely handling
    nuclear energy?
        Mr. Garrish. Well, in terms of this, the record is
    indisputable in terms of the safety of nuclear plants.
        Senator Hoeven. Okay. That's strong. Appreciate that very
    much.
        Thanks to all of you, and Mr. Abbey, I am not going to have
    a question for you because I understand Senator Murkowski has
    got a lot of them, so we will wait for that.
        Ranking Member Heinrich.
        Senator Heinrich. Thank you, Senator Hoeven.
        Ms. Beyer, as Assistant Secretary, you will oversee
    management of more than 245 million acres of public land. This
    land belongs to all Americans, including every single one of my
    constituents, and Americans highly value their ability to
    access these lands for hunting, fishing, and other recreational
    uses. Do you support the large-scale divestment of our public
    lands?
        Ms. Beyer. Sir, only Congress has the authority to dispose
    of any public lands, but I believe that our public lands have a
    multiple-use mandate, and they can be used for energy
    production, recreation, and any number of other uses for the
    benefit of all Americans.
        Senator Heinrich. Dr. Travnicek, you have been on staff at
    the Department for several months now, and I appreciate many of
    our conversations. But that gives you specific insights into
    decisions that have already been made at the Department. The
    new NEPA guidance for energy projects that the Secretary
    announced last week does not make any mention of tribal
    consultation. However, it requires all reviews to be done
    within 14 to 28 days. I have personally never seen meaningful
    tribal consultation completed in that time frame. So my
    question is, is the Administration proposing to eliminate
    tribal consultation for these projects?
        Dr. Travnicek. Thank you, Senator Heinrich, and I also
    appreciated some of the conversations that we have had already.
    So we know that there have been a lot of conversations for a
    long time related to trying to streamline the permitting
    processes, right?
        Senator Heinrich. Yes.
        Dr. Travnicek. I think we have all been frustrated by that.
    We have seen some of the discussions here within this Committee
    as well. So we are really just trying to figure out how we can
    move forward while still meeting the different requirements as
    well, right? We know that ESA was mentioned in there, and NHPA.
    Also, we know that we will have to engage with tribes. So at
    the same time, how do we get the permits out the door, get the
    infrastructure in place, develop the resources that we need? So
    it's going to be trying to work on all of the above, working
    with ESA, NHPA, and also engaging with the tribes.
        Senator Heinrich. As someone who strongly supported
    permitting reform, and a majority of the members on this
    Committee did, I think we largely support getting to yes or no
    faster, but I really want to urge you to make sure that that
    tribal consultation process is not a ``check the box''
    exercise, that it is meaningful.
        I am going to switch gears a little bit, back to you, Ms.
    Beyer. Two weeks ago--actually let me quote back something that
    you said just a few minutes ago: ``If our companies can't get
    permits, we will be behind.'' I agree with that sentiment. Two
    weeks ago, Secretary Burgum sent a letter to the Acting
    Director of BOEM, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management,
    ordering an unprecedented stop-work order to Equinor's Empire
    Wind Project off the coast of New York. That's a fully
    permitted project. It has undergone rigorous review. It's
    already under construction and it would power half a million
    homes. Canceling this project is a job killer for the skilled
    trades. And my concern is that it will squash any faith that
    the private sector has in the federal permitting process. If
    you can do this to one project, of one energy type, you can do
    it to another of a completely different energy type.
        So if fully permitted projects are subjected to arbitrary
    stop-work orders, how can we expect the private sector to
    commit capital to those large expensive projects?
        Ms. Beyer. Senator, thank you for that question. As you
    know, I have not been confirmed, and so did not participate in
    that decision-making. I agree with you----
        Senator Heinrich. Speak to the larger issue, like not the
    specificity of that issue.
        Ms. Beyer. Right. While we need all forms of energy that we
    can get our hands on, there is a premium to secure reliable and
    affordable energy. I am from Texas. We have a lot of wind
    energy there. I appreciate that it's additive, but there is a
    premium to secure affordable and reliable energy that is not
    weather dependent, in my view. And I will adhere to the
    guidance of the Secretary, if I am confirmed.
        Senator Heinrich. In your view, should permitting be
    transparent and predictable?
        Ms. Beyer. Yes, sir.
        Senator Heinrich. Thank you.
        Senator Hoeven. Thank you, Senator Heinrich.
        Senator Justice.
        Senator Justice. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, Ranking Member,
    everyone here, especially these great nominees and all their
    families. I think about all the people that are out here in our
    audience and everything. I think about a young man that is
    intrigued and fascinated and motivated by the process of
    everything that's going on here. His name is Mikey Wolford, and
    I absolutely want everybody here to just take just a moment and
    try to listen to what I would have to say because I am from a
    real energy state and I have been in the energy business
    forevermore. And absolutely, I know a lot, an awful lot about
    energy, and I can tell everyone here, whether they are on our
    side of the aisle or the other side of the aisle, it does not
    matter to me. What really should matter to all of us is, we
    have a crisis right now and it's looming like Godzilla standing
    in the background right now for all of us, for every single
    last one of us. And we have got to react or Godzilla will
    surely have a good day and we will have a bad day.
        And to react is just this simple, and I have said it over
    and over and over and over. You are going to have to decide,
    America. We are going to have to decide either for homes or
    jobs and industry. We are going to have to decide. And so, with
    all that being said, you know, these nominees, I would say to
    you just this: you have a responsibility here that is second to
    none. It's unbelievable, the pressure, the responsibility, how
    we are relying on you right now. As you go forward, and I
    surely hope and pray you will be confirmed without any
    problems, but with all that being said, today, like it or not
    like it, in this country, energy is everything--everything. No
    matter what anybody says, it is the answer and it is the key to
    Emerald City, period. Now, that's all there is to it.
        So with all that being said, I am sure that you have areas
    of expertise like crazy. I am sure you have a passion and a
    love for our lands, you know, Dr. Travnicek, you know, you
    spoke of, you know, how you grew up and loved to hunt and fish
    and everything. Well, that's me all over. That is absolutely me
    in every way. And I am sure all of you feel exactly the same.
    No one wants to harm our environment. No one wants to do
    anything to our waters, absolutely, but we have got to react
    because there are bad days looming right in front of us if we
    don't react. That's what our President is trying to do. That's
    what he does with an emergency in regard to energy.
        So I would say to you just this, and I have got just a
    couple of real quick questions and everything. I would say, in
    regard to water, you know, many of our communities are very
    rural and we rely on private wells. What resources--and this
    question is for Dr. Travnicek--what resources will your
    Department provide to assist these communities in ensuring the
    safety and reliability of their water supplies?
        Dr. Travnicek. Thank you, Senator, for the question.
        We know, as we are looking in rural areas and within
    communities, that water infrastructure is going to continue to
    be more important. So, as it relates to, if confirmed, the
    Bureau of Reclamation, I will be looking at the different
    authorities that we do have, looking for opportunities where
    there might be availability for cost share. And at the same
    time, just trying to see, too, what partnerships might be, as
    we look at those local communities.
        Senator Justice. Thank you.
        I have got to say one other thing, and I don't have a whole
    lot of time, but Senator Hoeven is a really sharp guy and he is
    a friend and he made a statement just a second ago--he is dead
    on the money, splitting the bullseye like you can't imagine. He
    said delay can be defeat. Well, I have never heard it put that
    way, but it is absolutely splitting the bullseye. You have got
    to move. You have got to have a real passion. You have got to
    move, and you have got to know the world. The world depends on
    you. Every single country in this world, the more energy they
    have, the longer their people live, the healthier their people
    are. We need to quit being afraid of energy. You have got a lot
    of good people out there that know how to extract and make
    energy for all of us. We need to let them go, we need to turn
    them loose, and we need to quit being afraid. Absolutely--it
    can scare us to death. We don't need to worry about Godzilla
    and the claws unless we don't act. And if we don't act,
    Godzilla will act, I promise you.
        That's all I have got. Thank you so much.
        Senator Hoeven. Thank you, Senator Justice. Thanks for your
    comments and your strong message, appreciate it very much.
        Senator King.
        Senator King. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
        Ms. Beyer, a couple of things. I just want to follow up on
    Senator Hoeven's question. The problem with the effective
    revocation of a permit that had already been granted is the
    chilling effect that has on developers, generally, whether it's
    wind power or oil and gas or anything else. That was an
    extraordinary action, and having been an energy developer
    myself, you spend millions of dollars, and months and years to
    get your permits. And to have a permit effectively canceled
    after you had gone through that entire process, the concern has
    to be, not necessarily about this particular project, but what
    this says to developers, generally, about the reliability and
    certainty of the permitting process. And I joined with Senator
    Barrasso and others, Senator Manchin, on permitting reform. I
    am very strongly in favor of permitting reform, but a step
    which withdraws an already issued permit, I hope that you will
    agree, is a dangerous message to the development community,
    generally.
        Ms. Beyer. Senator, I agree with that completely. The
    community that is developing, that is producing, that is
    building transmission, the midstream companies that will move
    our energy across the country, they absolutely need certainty
    in our permitting system so that they can make financial
    investment decisions.
        Senator King. I appreciate that.
        Let me go on to a different question.
        Ms. Beyer. Of course.
        Senator King. Thank you for that answer.
        You answered Senator Heinrich about conveyance of public
    lands--you said only Congress can do that. Can I press you a
    little bit further and say that you will not support the
    conveyance or transfer of public lands without Congressional
    approval?
        Ms. Beyer. Sir, if I am confirmed, I will follow the law,
    as directed by Congress. I know that----
        Senator King. But let me talk just in general policy. Do
    you think there is any justification for the conveyance of
    public lands in a more general sense, and I don't mean little
    inholdings and that kind of thing where we do those things all
    the time that make total sense, but I am talking about a more
    broad program of conveyance of public lands to states or
    private interest. As a matter of policy, do you support that or
    do you oppose it?
        Ms. Beyer. I believe that not every acre of public land
    holds the exact same value and that states know best how they
    want to use their public lands. And so----
        Senator King. So you are saying that you are okay with
    conveying federal public lands to states? Is that what you just
    said?
        Ms. Beyer. I hope to be a collaborative partner with
    Congress on that.
        Senator King. Well, I hope you will take that very
    seriously because I have grave concerns about conveyance of
    public lands. It belongs to the public, and the public should
    have a response, and the public's voice is right here. So in
    your initial statement--only Congress can do this--I hope that
    you will live up to that in your position.
        Mr. Garrish, I have been in a number of meetings recently
    about SMRs and development of future nuclear power. It strikes
    me that it's not going to happen on its own in the private
    sector because it's simply too expensive, that there needs to
    be a kind of CHIPS and Science Act, if you will, for new
    nuclear technology with federal support for the first five, or
    some number, because the expense is so great of developing a
    brand new, highly complex piece of technology. What are your
    thoughts on that?
        Mr. Garrish. I agree with that completely. The private
    sector cannot----
        Senator King. Let the record show that he said he agreed
    with me completely. Thank you.
        [Laughter.]
        Mr. Garrish. My position on this is that we need to develop
    a series of mechanisms for financing of reactors. The private
    sector can do some of this. The loan office can help. That was
    very helpful in the Vogtle plants, as you know, and it has been
    helpful in other plants that we have. In addition to that, we
    have to look for other sources of financing and even grants, in
    some cases, and we do have some grant programs currently----
        Senator King. Particularly for the early prototypes.
        Mr. Garrish. Getting prototypes to work and to be tested
    and to demonstrate the materials that you need for licensing,
    that is a program that we currently have underway, and we are
    going to implement at the Idaho National Laboratory, and that
    is an extremely important part of the process. We have to get
    these plants past the first-of-a-kind. We have to build five of
    them or ten of them to be able to demonstrate that these can be
    built in factories and we can move forward.
        So I agree with you, this is a complex matter as to how we
    go through the process, but we have to look for financing tools
    and financing interest and people that are interested in doing
    this, including the government.
        Senator King. Mr. Garrish, I really appreciate your
    willingness to continue to serve and to demonstrate that those
    of us who remember President Reagan still have something to
    offer.
        [Laughter.]
        Mr. Garrish. Thank you.
        Senator King. Thank you.
        Mr. Abbey, just very briefly, we need objective data to
    make good policy. It's as simple as that. And I hope in your
    position, and I think you have the background to do so, you
    used the term, ``objective data.'' That's what is needed--
    straight-up, honest data without political bias that will then
    help us to make good policy. Are you committed to objective
    data?
        Mr. Abbey. Absolutely, Senator.
        Senator King. Thank you.
        Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
        The Chairman [presiding]. Senator Murkowski, you are up
    next.
        Senator Murkowski. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
        I am just smiling because I was given a statement from
    Senator Murkowski, who was on this Committee on July 15, 1986,
    and apparently at that time, my father introduced you, Mr.
    Garrish, to the Committee as you were being nominated to become
    the Federal Inspector for the Alaska Natural Gas Transportation
    System. So as my colleague has said, there are a few from the
    Reagan days that not only understand things, but understand
    things so well that they are back yet again. So, a little bit
    of Committee history here. So just want to acknowledge that.
        Ms. Beyer, I want to speak to you--a couple questions here,
    and I love your connections to Alaska. It takes tough
    individuals to run the Mayor's Marathon, and I just love the
    fact that you like to spend family time up there. So you are
    familiar with Alaska. The last time we had a Senate-confirmed
    ASLM position was an Alaskan, Joe Balash. He obviously got a
    lot of these issues that are before Interior, before BLM. And
    you are going to be asked to pick up a lot in this space, as
    you well know. I know that you are familiar with the ``no more
    wilderness'' clause that is contained in ANILCA. I just need
    your commitment to me and to the Committee that you will ensure
    that BLM and other agencies under your purview abide by this
    ``no more'' clause. And even going a little bit beyond that,
    whether or not you would be willing to work with the delegation
    to evaluate what has happened in Alaska since passage of ANILCA
    as a result of BLM's oftentimes unilateral decisions to
    withdraw more and more land from public access. So just a
    willingness to work with the delegation on this.
        Ms. Beyer. Absolutely, ma'am. Given my personal affinity
    for the state, it's one of the things that I am most looking
    forward to working on, if I am confirmed. I will look forward
    to spending time there and working with you on all those
    issues.
        Senator Murkowski. Good. We will invite you back often.
        Speaking of Alaska land conveyances, as you know, we are
    dealing with the lifting of outdated public land orders--long,
    long overdue land conveyances that are owed under our Alaska
    Statehood Act, as well as the Native Claims Settlement Act. We
    have to resolve submerged lands issues. These are matters that
    require a great deal of detail, time, and resources. But we
    have been a state now for long enough, and I think some of
    these promises that were made at statehood need to be
    completed. We need your help to do that, and I would just like
    your commitment to that.
        Ms. Beyer. Absolutely, ma'am, if I am lucky enough to be
    confirmed, I look forward to working on that.
        Senator Murkowski. Good, good, good.
        And last question to you--I know you aren't in the building
    yet, but the Department has just recently announced a new five-
    year program for offshore development as well as what they are
    calling a new High Arctic Planning Area. And I get where the
    Administration is coming from. It's basically put everything on
    the table, and then figure out how we might want to winnow some
    of these back, actually where we want leasing to occur. As you
    well know, in Alaska, there are places that we seek to develop
    aggressively, responsibly, and then there are areas that we
    don't. So I would just ask your commitment, again, that you
    would work with the Alaska delegation. We have Alaskans that
    are here in the room as part of Alaska Day today, but
    especially our North Slope leaders to determine where leasing
    is appropriate, and perhaps not appropriate within the Alaska
    OCS.
        Ms. Beyer. Absolutely. I look forward to being briefed on
    the details of that and I will take a very close look at it.
        Senator Murkowski. Very good, appreciate that.
        Mr. Abbey, I am going to give you an opportunity to share a
    little bit of your vision here. You don't have much time, but
    you have spent a lot of time thinking about many of these
    things. You mentioned the vision that you have for the critical
    minerals and the specific outlook, but is what we were able to
    accomplish when it came to lifting the oil export ban, and
    again, the strategy, the implementation, can we do this with
    critical minerals? Can we do this with LNG exports? Is this
    something that, in your new role, you think you can bring to
    the table looking at the objective, analytical data that EIA
    brings to bear, but can we develop, can we work towards
    developing better strategic approaches to these very important
    issues?
        Mr. Abbey. Thank you, Senator, for the question.
        In my view, objectivity is a discipline. It is something
    that you can practice, and in various capacities I have been an
    objective steward of data. In other capacities, I have had more
    of a policy role. If confirmed as Administrator, I would no
    longer be in a policymaking role, but I do believe that the
    crude oil export debate illustrates the importance of EIA.
    There were a lot of think tanks and consulting firms that were
    writing reports about crude oil exports, but all of them were
    using EIA data. EIA data, to borrow Ranking Member Heinrich's
    term, once again, this common set of facts. And I think the EIA
    can absolutely play a critical role in helping anybody who is
    trying to develop any kind of energy policy to equip them with
    the information that they need.
        Senator Murkowski. That's a good answer.
        Mr. Abbey. Thank you.
        Senator Murkowski. I appreciate it.
        Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
        Mr. Abbey. I learned from the best.
        Senator Murkowski. Thank you.
        The Chairman. Thank you, Senator Murkowski.
        Ms. Beyer, I would like to start with you, if that's okay.
        I'm sorry--I forgot. Senator Cortez Masto, that was very
    bad. You are up to bat. Thank you.
        Senator Cortez Masto. Well, as Chairman, I respect your
    position, so thank you.
        First of all, congratulations. Congratulations on your
    nominations. Welcome to the family members that are here. It's
    an exciting time. Thank you so much.
        Let me start with you, Mr. Garrish. I am sure you are not
    surprised--I am from Nevada, and this is a question I ask
    everyone from Department of Energy, starting with Secretary
    Chris Wright, who provided the following QFR response during
    his nomination process. He said, ``The people of Nevada are not
    in favor of Yucca Mountain and thus President Trump and I do
    not support Yucca Mountain as a waste repository.''
        My question to you is, do you agree with this statement?
        Mr. Garrish. Yes.
        Senator Cortez Masto. Thank you.
        If confirmed, will you maintain efforts to establish a
    consent-based repository site selection process?
        Mr. Garrish. I would like to speak to that, if I may.
        Senator Cortez Masto. Please.
        Mr. Garrish. I have been concerned over the word consent-
    based. I would prefer something that sounds more like
    collaborative. In other words, I would like to collaborate with
    states, not--the idea of consent suggests that you are doing
    something to the states that they may not want. I would prefer
    to work collaboratively with the states and determine what
    states might be interested in this potential opportunity and
    whether there are things that could be added to it, benefits,
    and that is a process that we could enter over a period of
    time.
        And so, I would propose initially to go with a system that
    would be more collaborative than consent-based.
        Senator Cortez Masto. Can I ask, then, if there is a
    consent-based legislation, and the consent is really taking
    into consideration whether the states--including Nevada--and
    the stakeholders agree to any nuclear waste being sited in
    their state, you would take that into consideration and would
    not force it upon them if they did not agree to it?
        Mr. Garrish. Generally, I guess my belief is that if the
    state is not interested, then the collaborative process would
    probably terminate.
        Senator Cortez Masto. Okay.
        And so, that law in legislation, when we talk about
    consent-based and every state being treated equally, that
    should include the State of Nevada?
        Mr. Garrish. Well, the legislation that I think that you
    are referring to, there is no administrative position on it at
    this time. So I am not in a position to say one way or the
    other.
        Senator Cortez Masto. Thus, the superseding legislation to
    allow all states to be treated equally, including the State of
    Nevada. You would support that if there was superseding
    legislation?
        Mr. Garrish. Well, I am not in a position today to tell
    you, legislatively, to give you a position on behalf of the
    Administration.
        Senator Cortez Masto. So let me just say, previously the
    Secretary has said he would support it. So I am a little
    confused why you wouldn't, but we can have further conversation
    about this. I am concerned about your position, however, but I
    need to get on to some other questions here, but let's have
    further conversation.
        Mr. Garrish. I understand that we are scheduling a meeting,
    hopefully, where we can talk about this and the collaborative
    approach and generally your suggestions. I am very interested.
        Senator Cortez Masto. Thank you.
        Mr. Garrish. And I think in terms of entering this
    position, if confirmed, I would really like to get your views
    as one of the first people I talk to on this.
        Senator Cortez Masto. Good. I look forward to the
    conversation.
        Dr. Travnicek, you talked about the Colorado River. Thank
    you very much. This is a priority for all of the Basin States
    along the Colorado River. We know that we have deadlines coming
    up. The guidelines for future water allocations expire in 2027.
    There are negotiations going on right now. The hope is that the
    Basin States will come together and agree to the guidelines and
    how they are going to manage the Colorado River. My question to
    you is, if confirmed, how will you prioritize this process to
    ensure that the Basin can reach that necessary consensus and
    avoid litigation before time runs out?
        Dr. Travnicek. Thank you, Senator, for the question.
        Yes, as discussed earlier, the Colorado River is going to
    be front and center. If confirmed, it will be one of my top
    priorities to hit the ground running on right away. We know
    that we have to work with the seven Basin States. It needs to
    be consensus-driven, state led. We don't want this to be
    decided by a judge. So it's going to be my top priority.
        Senator Cortez Masto. And I look forward to working with
    you. I know all the Basin States--we do, as well.
        One final question, let me ask you, because this came to my
    attention just recently talking with my electric co-ops, who
    are concerned about hydropower from the dam, Hoover Dam, as
    well as Glen Canyon Dam. But let me just talk a little bit
    about Hoover Dam. In Congress, we previously made significant
    investments through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and
    Inflation Reduction Act to improve water infrastructure and to
    mitigate drought conditions along the river. And you talked a
    little bit about that. Unfortunately, many of those funds are
    currently halted. Additionally, Colorado River contract
    customers have been working with the Bureau of Reclamation to
    receive some of those Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funds to
    install wide-head turbines that can operate at low levels and
    continue to generate the hydropower that my companies and
    Nevadans need.
        If these turbines are not installed and production
    generation drops due to the low water level that has been set
    by the Bureau of Reclamation, customers in Nevada will be
    forced to replace these hydropower resources with more
    expensive power, impacting power prices for rural communities
    in Nevada. And so, my question to you is, can you commit to me
    to work to release those funds that were allocated by Congress
    in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation
    Reduction Act that addresses those needs--specifically those
    projects that we need along the Colorado River? Would you
    commit to working with me to release those funds?
        Dr. Travnicek. Senator, thank you for the question.
        So as it relates to hydropower, right, we know that
    Reclamation is the second largest producer of hydropower. It is
    extremely important. It is extremely important to have those
    low costs related to the energy production as well. So as we
    look at those different funds, I appreciate the overview
    related to what those funds have been sitting and supposed to
    go toward, so if confirmed, I will be committed to looking into
    that just to understand more of what it is and how that could
    help.
        Senator Cortez Masto. Thank you.
        Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
        The Chairman. Thank you, Senator Cortez Masto.
        Ms. Beyer, let's start with you. We have about 700 miles of
    our southern border that consists of federal land, and on a
    number of occasions, over and over and over again, over many
    years, federal land managers have blocked access or delayed
    access to customs and border protection to that land. They want
    to keep them out of that land in the name of environmental
    protection, but meanwhile, illegal border crossings have
    themselves caused massive environmental degradation, including
    leaving trash piles, damaged ecosystems, wildfires, and other
    problems. If confirmed, how will you prioritize preventing
    environmental damage that may be caused by illegal immigration?
        Mr. Beyer. I believe that the local stakeholders know best
    what is going on on those public lands, and I would instruct
    the BLM to work collaboratively with people on the ground to
    ensure that we are using/making the best use of the land.
        The Chairman. It's certainly not an environmentally neutral
    thing to allow the border to be open. And so, that certainly
    has to be taken into account.
        Dr. Travnicek, a federal decision last year requires the
    bypass of hydropower generation at Glen Canyon Dam to control
    the smallmouth bass, a species that, itself, threatens the ESA-
    listed humpback chub. Now, restricting hydropower generation
    does a lot of things, including forcing customers to purchase
    more expensive replacement power. This is also depleting the
    Basin Fund, which supports critical infrastructure along the
    Colorado River that the Colorado River Basin States need and
    rely on. If confirmed, how will you balance ESA compliance on
    the one hand with the need to protect affordable hydropower and
    to benefit American families and otherwise address the needs of
    the Colorado River Basin States?
        Dr. Travnicek. Thank you, Senator Lee, and I really
    appreciate the conversation yesterday as well.
        We know, as we are looking at the Colorado River, and we
    are looking at how those dams are operated, and the energy that
    goes with it, that we are going to have to have some of that
    balance. There was that decision that was completed last year,
    right, that does lean in a little bit more on looking at
    reducing and impacting the hydropower energy. So if confirmed,
    I am committed to looking into it and trying to figure out how
    we can still rely on that lower cost of energy.
        The Chairman. Much appreciated, thank you.
        Mr. Abbey, in 2021, Congress directed EIA to produce a
    critical minerals outlook and to deepen its capabilities in
    international analysis. It's now 2025, and we haven't seen the
    report. If confirmed, how do you view the international
    critical materials landscape, and what would you do as the
    Administrator of EIA to ensure that we have the best
    information available to strengthen our supply chains?
        Mr. Abbey. Thank you very much, Chairman Lee, for that
    question.
        There are two great Americans in the audience, who I didn't
    mention in my opening statement--my mother-in-law and my
    father-in-law, Pat and Rick Bruno, who can attest to the fact
    that, although I am extremely interested in the critical
    minerals issue, I am not presently employed at DOE. I am
    blissfully living a life in Tampa at the moment. I think the
    issue that you raise is absolutely----
        The Chairman. Washington is a lot like Tampa. You won't
    notice a difference.
        [Laughter.]
        Mr. Abbey. I think the issue that you raise, Senator, is
    absolutely important. One of the first things I would do, if
    confirmed, is meet with the team to understand what steps, if
    any, have been taken to adhere to the statutory guidance from
    Congress to establish that outlook. As you mentioned, it was
    directed in 2021 and does not exist today. If confirmed, it
    would exist.
        The Chairman. Thank you.
        Mr. Garrish, I loved seeing the reference earlier to the
    other Senator Murkowski, talking to the--well, not the other
    Theodore Garrish, but the same one, just in a different era.
    Our country is facing a looming energy crisis due to the growth
    of energy-intensive industries, and in many cases, the
    retirement of dispatchable and firm generation resources. In
    response, many states, including my own State of Utah, are
    taking steps to significantly increase their production. The
    State of Utah, through Operation Gigawatt, is working to double
    its energy capacity over the next 10 years, an ambitious, but I
    believe, achievable ambition. It's leading the way in making it
    easier to build new nuclear energy as part of that same effort.
        As energy demand continues to grow, we need to increase our
    supply with reliable, affordable, clean baseload generation,
    like nuclear. If confirmed, what will you do in your role as
    Assistant Secretary over the Office of Nuclear Energy to make
    sure that we get continued operation of the existing nuclear
    fleet and make sure that we get new nuclear plants up, running,
    and online as soon as possible?
        Mr. Garrish. Senator, nuclear definitely has a role in the
    future and will play an important part. And what I believe that
    we have to do initially is get a plant licensed and operating
    here as soon as possible. There are a number of programs that
    the Department currently has underway--the Advanced Nuclear
    Reactor program-- that will really facilitate first movers to
    get the advanced reactors into the marketplace. Similarly,
    there are programs right now at Idaho National Laboratory where
    we can begin the testing of prototypes, full-size prototypes,
    to begin to have new reactors available into the market. The
    key is, we need to build one, we need to license one, and we
    need to do it in an economic way. And that process is going to
    take a little time, but we need to get started with it
    immediately, and that's an important aspect of my plans, if
    confirmed, that I would really intend to begin with.
        The Chairman. I realize the office you have been nominated
    to fill plays a different role, but are there benefits that
    could be derived from a collaboration between your office and
    the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to accelerate the process?
        Mr. Garrish. Absolutely, and I think one of the very
    interesting ideas that has been suggested is a very close
    collaboration with our office as they begin to test the new
    reactors and work with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission on
    ways in which licensing could be enhanced and we could do
    research that is directly related to the information needed to
    accelerate the license process.
        The Chairman. Excellent, thank you very much.
        Senator Padilla, you are up next.
        Senator Padilla. Thank you, Mr. Chair, and a thank you to
    all the witnesses that are here today.
        I want to begin with an idea, an opportunity, I think,
    that's not just near and dear to me and important for the State
    of California, but can be critical, pun intended, for the
    country. Just last year, the Department of Energy announced the
    results of the most comprehensive analysis to date quantifying
    the domestic lithium resources in California's Salton Sea
    region. The announcement confirmed what we have known in
    California for a long time now, that the Salton Sea region has
    significant potential as a domestic source of critical minerals
    to reduce our reliance on minerals from foreign countries,
    particularly China. So it's a matter of both economic
    opportunity and national security.
        My question is for Ms. Beyer. What is your plan to develop
    domestic sources of lithium and assure that we are not reliant
    on foreign sources?
        Ms. Beyer. Senator, thank you for the question. I agree
    with you 100 percent. We have to be very focused as a country
    on developing our own critical minerals to secure our supply
    chain and make us less dependent on other countries for those
    minerals. If I am confirmed and oversee that mining process at
    the office at OSMRE, while that's primarily around coal, I will
    do everything within the power of the SLM to ensure that we can
    mine effectively and get America ahead on that process. We know
    that we are behind, and it is incredibly dangerous,
    specifically with regard to China.
        Senator Padilla. Well, I think your chances of getting
    confirmed are pretty darn good. So let me jump into some
    specifics into the weeds here. If confirmed, would you commit
    that brining, as a means of extraction, would be included in
    any administrative action to incentivize the domestic supply of
    critical minerals?
        Ms. Beyer. Sir, since I have not been in the building and I
    have not been fully briefed on that, I can't say specifically
    what I would support, but I look forward to learning more about
    it. I hope to get in the building soon and to be able to get
    into the weeds of that.
        Senator Padilla. Okay, well, I look forward to being part
    of that education coming up to speed and would certainly ask
    that you work with California leaders to advance brining and
    other opportunities in the Lithium Valley region of California.
        My next questions are directed at Dr. Travnicek. First of
    all, congratulations again on your nomination. Before we begin,
    I just wanted to confirm one thing. You are currently working
    as a Senior Advisor at the Department, correct?
        Dr. Travnicek. Senator, that's correct.
        Senator Padilla. Okay. So if you have watched any of the
    confirmation hearings for your colleagues that have come
    through this Committee, I am sure you have heard me talk about
    our work in recent years to establish and to expand national
    monuments in California in recent years. And as I have talked
    about here in Committee, and as I have raised with the
    Secretary directly, repeatedly, in person and on the phone and
    during his confirmation, the landscapes I am referring to have
    little or no energy or mineral potential. We were very--you
    know, we worked to establish the boundaries very precisely with
    a mind to that. By the way, these monuments enjoy tremendous, I
    mean, literally overwhelming support in California across the
    board.
        Now, I raise that because I would hate to see--I don't
    believe these monuments, new and expanded, fit really into this
    right-sizing effort that I am hearing about the Administration
    discussing when it comes to national monuments. So I would like
    to know, have you been part of the discussions at the
    Department to date in terms of the right-sizing of national
    monuments or the review process for protected landscapes for
    energy or mineral potential?
        Dr. Travnicek. So Senator, as the Senior Advisor, I have
    been working on different executive orders and secretarial
    orders that have come before the Department. As relates to this
    one, I have not been specifically involved.
        Senator Padilla. Okay, well, if and when you do become
    involved, engagement with stakeholders is critical for this and
    in all processes. And as far as we can tell, we are hearing
    about a review. We are hearing these monuments may be on the
    list, may not be on the list, maybe they are on the list, but
    the folks on the ground, the very leaders that advocated for
    the establishment and the expansion of these monuments have not
    been consulted. So I would ask that you commit to, again, if
    and when you become involved with this, to commit to true
    engagement with local leaders, both sides of the aisle--
    Democrats and Republicans--tribal leaders, conservationists,
    and others as part of any so-called review. And I would further
    ask that you commit, just as the first Trump Administration
    did, if there is going to be a suggested reconfiguration of the
    boundaries, that it be made public and a public comment period
    or an opportunity for public input be allowed before any final
    actions are taken.
        Can you commit to that as a good faith process with the
    public?
        Dr. Travnicek. So Senator, if confirmed, I am committed to
    working with you and others that might have feedback related to
    that. As discussed, there are executive orders and secretarial
    orders, and it will be different bureaus that will be working
    on that versus the ones that I will be involved with, but I
    would bring any of those concerns and commitment to working
    with those colleagues that might be working on that initiative.
        Senator Padilla. Okay, thank you very much.
        The Chairman. Senator Daines.
        Senator Daines. Thanks, Mr. Chairman.
        Ms. Beyer, the BLM's core principle is multiple use. That's
    Congressionally mandated in the Federal Land Management and
    Policy Act. However, under the Biden Administration, the Bureau
    of Land Management implemented the so-called Conservation and
    Landscape Health Rule that subverted the agency's multiple-use
    management of public lands. At that time, I heard a lot from my
    ranchers. I expressed deep concerns with this rule, especially
    as it pertained to the impacts on livestock grazing on public
    lands. Livestock operations are part of our Montana way of
    life, and cattle and sheep grazing on public lands provides
    benefits by mitigating the risk of wildfire, suppressing
    invasive grasses, and improving wildlife habitat, while
    economically supporting our rural communities who are
    struggling across our state.
        Will you commit to reconsidering this overreaching rule
    that harms multiple use and destroys transparency and public
    input around land use decisions?
        Ms. Beyer. Senator, thank you for the question.
        I know that has been an extraordinary issue in your state,
    and I have followed that. And if I am confirmed, I absolutely
    will follow the law, the multiple-use mandate, and the contours
    of FLPMA that provide that.
        Senator Daines. Thank you.
        Earlier this month, we were very pleased that President
    Trump announced a number of executive orders to support coal in
    Montana. My generational roots go back five in Montana. I know
    many watch shows like Yellowstone or they see Brad Pitt with a
    fly rod in his hand, you think it's only about fly fishing, and
    as a lifelong fly fisherman, I couldn't agree more, but we also
    have more recoverable coal than any state in the United States.
    It's one of the understated facts and something that many don't
    know.
        So these EOs to support us in Montana with coal include
    rolling back the Miles City Resource Management Plan amendment
    prohibiting new coal development in eastern Montana. I am
    grateful that Secretary Burgum, likewise, took steps to support
    energy development on our federal lands. I truly believe that
    BLM can balance coal, oil, gas, and renewable energy
    development while also supporting conservation, recreation, and
    grazing resources. That really is the mandate from Congress.
        My question is, do you support the actions by the President
    and the Secretary to roll back these anti-energy rules, like
    the Miles City RMP and the unreachable bonding rates and return
    the BLM to its true multiple-use mandate?
        Ms. Beyer. Senator, thank you.
        I think President Trump and Secretary Burgum have laid out
    a very bold vision for developing more American energy
    resources, and coal has a very important role in that. I
    believe in American innovation around reducing emissions and
    how effectively we can produce energy around coal. And so,
    absolutely, sir, I commit to working with you on that and to
    following the direction of the President and the Secretary.
        Senator Daines. You know, it ought to be a warning shot,
    what we saw happening in Spain and Portugal this past week
    about what happens when ideology and nonsense drives energy
    policy and where we get energy in terms of the balance between
    intermittent sources of energy and baseload power. And I am
    grateful that in this Administration baseload power is cool
    again, thank God.
        Dr. Travnicek, the Bureau of Reclamation is currently
    working quickly to address the catastrophic failure of two
    siphons from the St. Mary River that are a critical part of the
    Milk River Project that provides water to irrigators on
    Montana's Hi-Line. I don't expect you to be an expert on this,
    but I want to raise your awareness here because you will be
    confirmed and you will be serving. I am grateful for that.
    Additionally, I am working to finish Montana's last tribal
    water compact. I have been working on tribal water compacts for
    much of my time back here in Congress. These are sometimes over
    a century--back to, certainly, treaties--and getting these
    resolved on behalf of the irrigators and the tribes is one of
    my highest priorities. We are down to one left in Montana, and
    that's for the Fort Belknap Indian community. We are making
    great progress on that. We are very close. This will improve
    infrastructure and economic development for both our tribal and
    our non-tribal water users.
        My question is, will you work with me to ensure the
    continued success of these federal water projects so that
    farmers, ranchers, tribes and municipal users will have
    certainty over their water rights and their usage?
        Dr. Travnicek. Senator, thank you for the overview of both
    of those important concerns that you have in trying to move
    those projects forward. I am committed to working with you on
    those.
        Senator Daines. Thank you.
        And that St. Marys project, by the way, when you see
    beautiful movies and pictures of Montana, you see a lot of
    water, that's true--we actually are a semi-arid climate in
    Montana. It's pretty dry, and particularly where St. Marys is
    at, it's a very arid part of our state, and literally, it's an
    artery, a lifeline of water that has been tragically
    interrupted because of an infrastructure failure. And time is
    of the essence to get this completed so we can support
    irrigators this year.
        I am out of time, Mr. Chairman. Thank you.
        The Chairman. Senator Hickenlooper.
        Senator Hickenlooper. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
        Ms. Beyer, obviously, Coloradans support conservation
    protection for our public lands, like most states. These lands
    boost the $17 billion recreation economy, not to mention all
    the wildlife and watershed benefits that accrue. You are
    nominated for a role that would oversee the Bureau of Land
    Management, which manages lands for multiple processes or uses.
    You are certainly experienced in the oil and gas side of
    things, but you are also going to have to transition to a
    broader lens now and look at making sure that we ensure healthy
    lands, diversity of landscapes, reliable access to outdoor
    recreation. Will you work with us to make sure that we maintain
    these approaches to conservation and protection of our public
    lands?
        Ms. Beyer. Senator, I appreciate you pointing that out, and
    absolutely, I agree with you and commit to working with you on
    that.
        Senator Hickenlooper. Great, thank you.
        And Mr. Garrish, nuclear energy could play a huge role in
    our national security, and I share the frustration of many
    organizations--Nuclear Energy Institute, the Colorado Nuclear
    Alliance, Nuclear Innovation Alliance--that DOE has let go more
    than half its staff at the Loan Programs Office. The Loan
    Programs Office--LPO--one of the most effective federal offices
    supporting new nuclear projects in the United States. How does
    the Administration, from your perspective, plan to expand
    domestic nuclear energy while simultaneously dramatically
    reducing the staff that would be most critical for that
    expansion?
        Mr. Garrish. Well, I am hopeful that as applications come
    into LPO for additional nuclear projects that there is
    sufficient staff to handle them, and I see no reason of that
    currently. And I am not totally familiar with the staff
    situation at LPO, but I anticipate that we will have the staff
    to handle that.
        Senator Hickenlooper. So if you find there is insufficient
    staff, you will raise your voice and say, we need more staff?
        Mr. Garrish. Indeed.
        Senator Hickenlooper. Good. Good to hear that.
        Dr. Travnicek, the Department of the Interior recently
    announced some of the emergency permitting procedures to
    accelerate the development of domestic resources of critical
    minerals. As has been noted, this initiative seeks to reduce
    multi-year review processes to, well, as much as possible--in
    some cases, as quickly as 28 days. I am an outspoken, I guess I
    would say, supporter of bipartisan permitting reform. I
    emphasize bipartisan permitting reform. But I am concerned
    about some of these drastic actions. What are the litigation
    risks of taking such dramatic steps to accelerate timelines
    without an act of Congress? In other words, are we creating far
    more obstacles or problems in the future as we seek to
    circumvent the existing structure? And then, how do you justify
    operating under a national energy emergency while excluding key
    technological technologies like solar, wind, and energy storage
    from these new procedures?
        Dr. Travnicek. Senator, thank you for the question.
        Yes, we have been directed to the presidential order in
    regards to the energy emergency that we see here in this
    country. I know that this Committee has been active, as it
    relates to finding ways to streamline the permitting processes.
    The team at Interior has been working very hard to try to see
    if there are any ways to streamline them even further. And
    that's where you did see this last week where there was a new
    permitting process that was rolled out to try to expedite that
    to make sure that we can develop the resources, and also get
    the infrastructure needed to make sure that we are getting that
    clear energy dominance.
        At the same time, it also is looking at just ESA, NHPA. I
    know there was a question earlier related to tribes. So the
    Department is going to work really hard to implement that.
        Senator Hickenlooper. Great, thank you.
        And I will ask you each, just, there have been some, I
    think, some serious discussions about large-scale sales of
    public lands for the generation of revenue for the Federal
    Government. I just wanted to ask each of you to give your
    authentic opinion as to whether that's a worthy outcome. And I
    am a great believer in budgets and frugality, but I think a
    wide-scale sale of public lands just for the generation of
    revenue seems very ill-advised. I just want to hear each of
    your opinions on that.
        Dr. Travnicek. Thank you, Senator, for the question.
        We know, as it relates to federal lands, there are a lot of
    multi-use efforts that are associated with them. So----
        Senator Hickenlooper. I am just talking about the sale. So
    I understand putting multi-use, and I understand that, and in
    some mountain towns you can sell an acre or two from the BLM
    that they can use for affordable housing or workforce housing,
    I get that. I am not against that. I am talking about larger-
    scale sale of public lands to generate revenue, solely to
    generate revenue for the Federal Government.
        Dr. Travnicek. Yes, and at the Department of the Interior
    right now, we do have a directive through an executive order to
    review all of those public lands, seeing if there are any
    opportunities. So it would be working with the states, looking
    for opportunities to see if there is any opportunity.
        Senator Hickenlooper. So you are okay with that, all right.
        Ms. Beyer. Senator, Congress has the authority to dispose
    of public lands, and I agree with my colleague from the
    Interior perspective. We would look to the states, any state
    looking to do a lands transfer.
        Senator Hickenlooper. So you said Congress has the
    authority, but then you are going to look to the states. So
    look to the states to advise Congress? That's the question. I
    just want to--I am not trying to be trouble, I am just trying
    to make sure we get----
        Ms. Beyer. No, I understand, sir. I meant that in the
    context of--I am sure there is a role for the Department of the
    Interior. I do not currently work in the building, but my
    understanding of the constitution is that it gives that
    authority to Congress.
        Senator Hickenlooper. Right, we agree.
        Mr. Garrish.
        Mr. Garrish. Senator, I am not familiar enough with the
    subject to be able to provide much of an opinion. However, it
    would seem to me that, as I understand it, that this is a
    matter for Congress.
        Senator Hickenlooper. Thank you.
        Mr. Abbey. Thank you, Senator, for the question. I
    appreciate the issue that you raise. As the nominee for the EIA
    Administrator position, which is policy neutral, I,
    unfortunately, am not able to respond.
        Senator Hickenlooper. All right, thank you. I am out of
    time.
        The Chairman. Thank you, Senator Hickenlooper.
        Senator Gallego.
        Senator Gallego. Thank you, Chairman and Ranking Member.
        My first question is for Dr. Travnicek. One of the most
    pressing issues from my state is drought funding, and we
    continue to see challenges with funding freezes at the Bureau
    of Reclamation. If you are confirmed, these funds will be your
    responsibility. Reclamation has halted critical funding that
    has been a bridge to keep the Colorado River Basin system
    functioning. I am concerned that these funds are being held,
    and I have heard reports that the Department plans to hold
    funding until a seven-state agreement is reached. Do you commit
    to releasing all previously appropriated funding and do you
    recognize the urgency of drought funding in the West?
        Dr. Travnicek. Thank you, Senator, for the question. And as
    I have discussed before, we do know that drought is an
    extremely important issue that we are seeing here in the West
    and that we are all going to have to work really hard and use
    all the different tools in the toolbox. As it relates to the
    funding that might be put on pause right now, I committed to,
    if confirmed, looking into it further just to understand what
    is on pause.
        Senator Gallego. Okay, just because for us it looks--it
    seems like it's not exactly the smartest move because there are
    some states that would be absolutely happy to let this go to
    litigation, keep fighting it out, and then you are punishing
    some of the Lower Basin States that need this investment now,
    which will end up actually helping all of the Basin in terms of
    their--how many acre-feet of water we need behind the dams. So
    I just want to make sure you keep that in perspective.
        I would like to also ask about the Northeastern Arizona
    Indian Water Rights Settlement Act. This would be the largest
    Indian water rights settlement ever enacted in the history of
    this country and provide the southern tribes--the Navajo
    Nation, the Hopi Tribe, and the San Juan Southern Paiute
    Tribe--with desperately needed water and infrastructure funding
    and water to actually even, you know, spur their economy.
    Without a settlement, other water users in the Colorado River
    Basin face uncertainty regarding the tribes' Colorado River
    water rights. So essentially, we don't know how much we have
    left if we haven't allocated what these tribes justly deserve.
    So it's particularly important because the Navajo Nation has
    one of the largest single outstanding claims in the whole
    Colorado River. Approximately one-third of Navajo homes still
    do not have running water even to this date. So this settlement
    will bring certainty to the Basin and ensure tribes can thrive
    on their homeland.
        So will you commit to working with me and the Arizona
    delegation--bipartisan delegation--to finish this settlement?
        Dr. Travnicek. So Senator, I understand the importance of
    the Indian Water Rights Settlements. When I was here during the
    first Trump Administration, I had an opportunity to work with
    several of those tribal nations. So I am committed to working
    with you on those.
        Senator Gallego. Great, thank you.
        Questions for Mr. Garrish. You know, I appreciate our time
    yesterday talking about, you know, creative solutions for
    energy and fast deployment of nuclear energy. As you know, I am
    very interested in SMRs, and they have a great potential to
    meet Arizona's rising energy demand. And I have heard from
    communities that actually are very excited about the deployment
    of this technology, and so, I was hoping that you and I could
    talk further about potential creative ways to actually have
    faster deployment.
        So will you commit to visiting Arizona and working together
    on fast deployment of SMRs, including the potential for their
    use on military bases in the state?
        Mr. Garrish. Senator, thank you for your time that we took
    to discuss this important topic. Arizona has a tremendous
    opportunity for nuclear development, and you are currently home
    of one of the most successful and largest nuclear plants, and I
    think that there are many opportunities going forward, and I
    look forward to working with you, including military bases, for
    nuclear potential.
        Senator Gallego. Thank you.
        Ms. Beyer, Arizona is home--and thank you again for also
    speaking to me yesterday--is home to 12.1 million acres of BLM
    land, a department that you are going to oversee. Within these
    are national monuments that highlight the natural and cultural
    beauty of my state. One example is the Ancestral Footprints of
    the Grand Canyon National Monument. The Grand Canyon is not
    only a natural wonder of the world and a sacred site for many
    tribes, it's an enormous economic driver for Northern Arizona,
    as the second most visited national park in the country. Loving
    the Grand Canyon isn't controversial--80 percent of all
    Arizonans support the Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon,
    and the Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon isn't unique
    in being protected by presidential declaration. Grand Canyon
    National Park itself started out that way.
        In recent weeks, reports have circulated that the
    Administration is planning to shrink the boundaries of a number
    of monuments, including the Ancestral Footprints of the Grand
    Canyon National Monument. Do you plan to support the rollback
    of monument protections for the Grand Canyon?
        Ms. Beyer. Senator, thank you for the question, and thank
    you for the time yesterday. I enjoyed speaking with you about
    this and a number of your other areas of focus.
        The Grand Canyon is an amazing place. My parents, here, and
    my son, have spent a lot of time there. And you know, while I
    am not at the Department, I am not aware of any of those
    discussions, but the importance and the majesty of the Grand
    Canyon is not lost on me.
        Senator Gallego. Thank you, and I yield back, Mr. Chair.
        The Chairman. Thank you very much, Senator Gallego.
        I want to thank the witnesses and everyone for their
    participation today. It has been a little chaotic with multiple
    markups and multiple committees happening, but a lot of
    cooperation from members of the Committee has helped.
        Questions for the record for this hearing are due by 6:00
    p.m. this evening. The record of the hearing will remain open
    for statements until 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 8.
        Again, I thank members of the Committee. On behalf of the
    Committee, I am pleased to extend congratulations to all these
    nominees and look forward to working closely with each one. I
    also look forward to working with all of the Senators on the
    Committee as we continue to consider each of the President's
    remaining nominees within the jurisdiction of this Committee in
    such a productive manner.
        I hope every Senator of the Committee will continue to work
    with me to persuade leadership on both sides of the aisle to
    bring up these nominations for a vote on the floor as soon as
    possible.
        And again, I thank all the Senators for their cooperation
    this morning.
        The hearing is adjourned.
        [Whereupon, at 11:47 a.m., the hearing was adjourned.]

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