[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 32 (Thursday, March 13, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S2296]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        CONFIRMATION OF FEDERICO PENA TO BE SECRETARY OF ENERGY

 Mr. GORTON. Mr. President, yesterday the Senate voted to 
confirm Federico Pena to be Secretary of Energy. As a member of the 
Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, I have met with 
Secretary Pena and discussed issues of importance to Washington State, 
the Northwest, and the Nation. I understand that some Senators had 
reservations about Secretary Pena because he does not have a great deal 
of experience on energy related issues. I do not hold this same 
reservation. I do not necessarily view Secretary Pena's lack of 
expertise on energy issues as a liability, but rather as an opportunity 
to educate the new Secretary on issues important to the people of 
Washington State and the region.
  Two issues immediately come to mind--Hanford and electricity 
deregulation.
  I look forward to working with Secretary Pena on the many challenges 
facing the Hanford Nuclear Reservation in the southeastern part of my 
State. While there are many difficult issues facing Hanford, there are 
also many exciting opportunities.
  One of these opportunities is the Fast Flux Test Facility [FFTF]. 
FFTF is a valuable asset for our national security interests and a 
potential cure for diseases and other medical conditions. Scientists 
believe FFTF can begin producing tritium--an essential part of our 
nuclear deterrent--within 5 years. Moreover, nearly 70 of our Nation's 
leading medical researchers have validated claims that FFTF is 
essential to the production of medical isotopes which could one day be 
a valuable weapon in the fight against cancer.
  FFTF is by no means the only important issue that Secretary Pena will 
face at Hanford in his new position. In addition, I look forward to 
working with him on maintaining an adequate budget to meet the site's 
cleanup mission.
  It's no secret that Hanford has been one of the most contaminated 
sites owned by the Federal Government. Despite the enormity of the 
cleanup, I believe we are making real progress due in large part to the 
extraordinary efforts and talents of the people who work at the site 
and make up the surrounding Hanford communities.
  The DOE, in coordination with Congress, is also playing an important 
role prioritizing, streamlining, and increasing efficiency at Hanford, 
I look foward to continuing my already strong working relationship with 
Secretary Pena in his new role to preserve continuity in funding at 
Hanford and other DOE sites.
  On the subject of electricity deregulation, it is critical that 
Secretary Pena listen and work closely with the Northwest congressional 
delegation on electricity issues unique to the Northwest. The Northwest 
has its own peculiar set of challenges--namely the ability of the 
Bonneville Power Administration to market its power while paying nearly 
$500 million in annual fish and wildlife costs. Secretary Pena and I 
have discussed these issues and he has committed to work with the 
Northwest members of the Senate Energy Committee on these difficult 
Northwest issues. I intend to take Secretary Pena up on his offer, and 
hope that together with my Northwest colleagues that we can work on 
these issues critical to Northwest ratepayers, an the 
environment.

                          ____________________