Jeff Bingaman

Mr. BINGAMAN

Mr. BINGAMAN. Mr. President, I would like to announce for the information of the Senate and the public that a hearing has been scheduled before the Subcommittee on Public Lands and Forests. The hearing will be held on Tuesday, March 23, 2010, at 2:30 p.m., in room SD-366 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building. The purpose of the hearing is to receive testimony on the following bills: S. 1546, to provide for the conveyance of certain parcels of land to the town of Mantua, Utah; S. 2798, to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire through the facilitation of insect and disease infestation treatment of National Forest System and adjacent land, and for other purposes; S. 2830, to amend the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 to clarify that uncertified States and Indian tribes have the authority to use certain payments for certain noncoal reclamation projects; and S. 2963, to designate certain land in the State of Oregon as wilderness, to provide for the exchange of certain Federal land and non-Federal land, and for other purposes. Because of the limited time available for the hearing, witnesses may testify by invitation only. However, those wishing to submit written testimony for the hearing record should send it to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, United States Senate, Washington, DC 20510-6150, or by email to allison_seyferth@energy.senate .gov. For further information, please contact Scott Miller at (202) 224- 5488 or David Brooks at (202) 224-9863.

Mr. BINGAMAN

Mr. BINGAMAN. Mr. President, it is with great pleasure that I congratulate the University of New Mexico men's basketball team for achieving a second straight Mountain West Conference title. The team's accomplishments include a school record 28 wins, including 10 road wins this season. In addition, their remarkable achievements include 14 consecutive victories and top 10 rankings in both the AP and ESPN/USA Today polls. Renowned for passionate fans, the University of New Mexico men's basketball team dedication to character and teamwork has brought tremendous pride to the people of New Mexico and offers our country a reflection of this spirit. I also wish to commend the leadership of senior cocaptain Roman Martinez for his excellence in the classroom and his contributions to the community. As an Academic All-American, Roman exemplifies the true character of a student-athlete. Knowing Roman's dedication to service in the community, it is clear that his role in this most worthy pursuit will be even greater in the years to come. Along with my fellow New Mexicans, I wish these students much success as they prepare to compete in the Mountain West Conference and NCAA tournaments, and I applaud their achievements.

Mr. BINGAMAN

Mr. BINGAMAN. Mr. President, I would like to announce for the information of the Senate and the public that a hearing has been scheduled before the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. The hearing will be held on Wednesday, March 17, 2010, at 9:30 a.m., in room SD-366 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building. The purpose of the hearing is to consider the nomination of Jeffrey Lane, to be an Assistant Secretary of Energy (Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs). Because of the limited time available for the hearing, witnesses may testify by invitation only. However, those wishing to submit written testimony for the hearing record may do so by sending it to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, United States Senate, Washington, DC 20510-6150, or by e-mail to Amanda_Kelly@energy .senate.gov. For further information, please contact Sam Fowler or Amanda Kelly.

Mr. BINGAMAN

Mr. BINGAMAN. Mr. President, I would like to announce for the information of the Senate and the public that a hearing has been scheduled before the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. The hearing will be held on Wednesday, March 10, 2010, at 9:30 a.m., in room SD-366 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building. The purpose of the hearing is to receive testimony on energy efficiency bills, including S. 1696, the Green Gaming Act of 2009; S. 2908, the Water Heater Rating Improvement Act of 2009; S. 3059, the National Energy Efficiency Enhancement Act of 2010; S. 3054, a bill to amend the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to establish efficiency standards for bottle-type water dispensers, commercial hot food holding cabinets, and portable electric spas; and for other purposes. Because of the limited time available for the hearing, witnesses may testify by invitation only. However, those wishing to submit written testimony for the hearing record may do so by sending it to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, United States Senate, Washington, DC 20510-6150, or by e-mail to Rosemarie_Calabro @energy.senate.gov. For further information, please contact Allen Stayman or Rosemarie Calabro.

Mr. BINGAMAN. Mr. President, this is to correct the purpose of a hearing before the Subcommittee on Water and Power of the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources previously announced on March 1st. The hearing will be held on Tuesday, March 16, 2010, at 10 a.m., in room SD-366 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building in Washington, DC. The purpose of this oversight hearing is to receive testimony on the Bureau of Reclamation's implementation of the SECURE Water Act, (Title 9501 of P.L. 111-11) and the Bureau of Reclamation's WaterSMART program which includes the WaterSMART Grant Program, the Basin Study Program and the Title XVI Program. Because of the limited time available for the hearing, witnesses may testify by invitation only. However, those wishing to submit written testimony for the hearing record should send it to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, United States Senate, Washington, DC 20510-6150, or by e-mail to Gina_Weinstock@energy.senate .gov. For further information, please contact Tanya Trujillo or Gina Weinstock.

Mr. BINGAMAN

Mr. BINGAMAN. Mr. President, I am pleased to join with the Ranking Member of the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, Lisa Murkowski, in introducing the National Energy Efficiency Enhancement Act of 2010. This legislation would implement several agreements that have been negotiated between appliance manufacturers and energy efficiency advocates to increase national energy efficiency standards for a range of commercial products, strengthen our economy, create jobs, and reduce carbon dioxide emissions. The major energy consuming products that would have standards established or enhanced by this legislation include furnaces, air conditioners, street lights, and external power supplies. The bill would also modify the Secretary of Energy's authority regarding administration of the program. For example, there would be changes to the criteria used by the Secretary when determining where to set a standard, so as to include consideration of the impact of a proposed standard on average energy prices and the impacts of smart grid technology. A more detailed description section-by-section summary of the bill is included at the end of these remarks. Representatives from the energy efficiency community, such as the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy, ACEEE, the Alliance to Save Energy, and the National Resources Defense Council, along with industry representatives from the National Electric Manufacturers Association, the Air Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Institute, and the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers and others, have done a commendable job in working through very difficult and technical issues to develop this remarkable consensus legislation. Their successes were set forth in several agreements that have been included in this bill. It is a testament to what can be achieved for the nation when interests groups work together with a commitment to the common good. The savings from these new standards, if enacted, are estimated at 258 trillion Btu in 2020, and 677 trillion Btu in 2030. In addition, greenhouse gas emissions are estimated to be reduced by 14.6 million metric tons of CO2 in 2020, and 39 million metric tons in 2030. Other benefits of increased efficiency include consumer savings due to lower energy costs and new jobs created by the use of consumer savings for other purchases and investments. This legislation demonstrates the continuing commitment of the Energy Committee to build on the bipartisan bill it reported last June--the American Clean Energy Leadership Act of 2009, or ACELA. Title II of ACELA directs the Energy Department to establish new energy efficiency standards for portable lamps and commercial furnaces and would yield estimated energy savings in 2030 of 551 trillion Btu, and carbon dioxide emission reductions of 31.3 million metric tons. Combined, the savings from these two bills would be 1228 trillion Btu and 70 million metric tons in 2030. Note: all estimates by the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy. The energy efficiency provisions of ACELA when combined with this new legislation would substantially enhance one of the most powerful and cost-effective tools the Federal Government has to strengthen our economic and energy security. The appliance standards program has been saving energy and money for families, businesses, and government consumers for more than 20 years. DOE currently administers standards for 35 products, and the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy estimates cumulative program savings of 5.1 Quadrillion Btu through 2010. The ACEEE projects another 3 Quadrillion Btu of savings from current standards by 2020. This program's savings in electricity are the most significant, with an estimated reduction of nearly 16 percent in national electricity use by 2020 below what would have been used without the program. Greater energy efficiency strengthens our economy, enhances our security, saves consumers money, creates jobs, and reduces greenhouse gas pollution. No single program or policy is going to completely end our nation's waste of energy or its carbon emissions, but increased energy efficiency through cost-effective energy standards for appliances and consumer products remains the single most-powerful tools for meeting these goals. I look forward to working with my colleagues in the Energy Committee, in the Congress, and in the Administration to enact the National Energy Efficiency Enhancement Act of 2010. It would be a major enhancement to the energy savings anticipated from ACELA--more than doubling the savings--and both bills should be a part of any comprehensive national energy legislation. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill and a bill summary be printed in the Record.

Mr. BINGAMAN

Mr. BINGAMAN. Mr. President, I am pleased to join with the Ranking Member of the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, Lisa Murkowski, in introducing the National Energy Efficiency Enhancement Act of 2010. This legislation would implement several agreements that have been negotiated between appliance manufacturers and energy efficiency advocates to increase national energy efficiency standards for a range of commercial products, strengthen our economy, create jobs, and reduce carbon dioxide emissions. The major energy consuming products that would have standards established or enhanced by this legislation include furnaces, air conditioners, street lights, and external power supplies. The bill would also modify the Secretary of Energy's authority regarding administration of the program. For example, there would be changes to the criteria used by the Secretary when determining where to set a standard, so as to include consideration of the impact of a proposed standard on average energy prices and the impacts of smart grid technology. A more detailed description section-by-section summary of the bill is included at the end of these remarks. Representatives from the energy efficiency community, such as the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy, ACEEE, the Alliance to Save Energy, and the National Resources Defense Council, along with industry representatives from the National Electric Manufacturers Association, the Air Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Institute, and the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers and others, have done a commendable job in working through very difficult and technical issues to develop this remarkable consensus legislation. Their successes were set forth in several agreements that have been included in this bill. It is a testament to what can be achieved for the nation when interests groups work together with a commitment to the common good. The savings from these new standards, if enacted, are estimated at 258 trillion Btu in 2020, and 677 trillion Btu in 2030. In addition, greenhouse gas emissions are estimated to be reduced by 14.6 million metric tons of CO2 in 2020, and 39 million metric tons in 2030. Other benefits of increased efficiency include consumer savings due to lower energy costs and new jobs created by the use of consumer savings for other purchases and investments. This legislation demonstrates the continuing commitment of the Energy Committee to build on the bipartisan bill it reported last June--the American Clean Energy Leadership Act of 2009, or ACELA. Title II of ACELA directs the Energy Department to establish new energy efficiency standards for portable lamps and commercial furnaces and would yield estimated energy savings in 2030 of 551 trillion Btu, and carbon dioxide emission reductions of 31.3 million metric tons. Combined, the savings from these two bills would be 1228 trillion Btu and 70 million metric tons in 2030. Note: all estimates by the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy. The energy efficiency provisions of ACELA when combined with this new legislation would substantially enhance one of the most powerful and cost-effective tools the Federal Government has to strengthen our economic and energy security. The appliance standards program has been saving energy and money for families, businesses, and government consumers for more than 20 years. DOE currently administers standards for 35 products, and the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy estimates cumulative program savings of 5.1 Quadrillion Btu through 2010. The ACEEE projects another 3 Quadrillion Btu of savings from current standards by 2020. This program's savings in electricity are the most significant, with an estimated reduction of nearly 16 percent in national electricity use by 2020 below what would have been used without the program. Greater energy efficiency strengthens our economy, enhances our security, saves consumers money, creates jobs, and reduces greenhouse gas pollution. No single program or policy is going to completely end our nation's waste of energy or its carbon emissions, but increased energy efficiency through cost-effective energy standards for appliances and consumer products remains the single most-powerful tools for meeting these goals. I look forward to working with my colleagues in the Energy Committee, in the Congress, and in the Administration to enact the National Energy Efficiency Enhancement Act of 2010. It would be a major enhancement to the energy savings anticipated from ACELA--more than doubling the savings--and both bills should be a part of any comprehensive national energy legislation. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill and a bill summary be printed in the Record.

Mr. BINGAMAN

Mr. BINGAMAN. Mr. President, I would like to announce for the information of the Senate and the public that the hearing scheduled before the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, previously announced for February 9th, has been rescheduled and will now be held on Tuesday, March 9, 2010, at 10 a.m., in room SD-366 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building. The purpose of the hearing is to examine financial transmission rights and other electricity market mechanisms. Because of the limited time available for the hearing, witnesses may testify by invitation only. However, those wishing to submit written testimony for the hearing record may do so by sending it to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, United States Senate, Washington, D.C. 20510-6150, or by e-mail to Gina_Weinstock@energy .senate.gov. For further information, please contact Leon Lowery at (202) 224-2209 or Kevin Huyler at (202) 224-6689 or Gina Weinstock at (202) 224-5684.

Mr. BINGAMAN. Mr. President, I would like to announce for the information of the Senate and the public that a hearing has been scheduled before the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. The hearing will be held on Thursday, March 11, 2010, at 10 a.m., in room SD-366 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building. The purpose of the hearing is to review legislative proposals designed to create jobs related to energy efficiency, including a Majority Staff Draft on energy efficient building retrofits. Because of the limited time available for the hearing, witnesses may testify by invitation only. However, those wishing to submit written testimony for the hearing record may do so by sending it to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, United States Senate, Washington, D.C. 20510-6150, or by e-mail to Rosemarie_Calabro@energy .senate.gov. For further information, please contact Deborah Estes at (202) 224- 5360 or Rosemarie Calabro at (202) 224-5039.

Mr. BINGAMAN

Mr. BINGAMAN. Mr. President, I would like to announce for the information of the Senate and the public that the hearing scheduled before the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, previously announced for February 9th, has been rescheduled and will now be held on Tuesday, March 16, 2010, at 10 a.m., in room SD-366 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building. The purpose of this oversight hearing is to receive testimony on the Bureau of Reclamation's implementation of the SECURE Water Act, (Title 9501 of P.L. 111-11) and the Bureau of Reclamation's Water Conservation Initiative which includes the Challenge Grant Program, the Basin Study Program and the Title XVI Program. Because of the limited time available for the hearing, witnesses may testify by invitation only. However, those wishing to submit written testimony for the hearing record should send it to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, United States Senate, Washington, DC 20510-6150, or by email to Gina_Weinstock@energy.senate .gov. For further information, please contact Tanya Trujillo at (202) 224- 5479 or Gina Weinstock at (202) 224-5684.

Mr. BINGAMAN. Mr. President, I would like to announce for the information of the Senate and the public that a hearing has been scheduled before the Subcommittee on National Parks. The hearing will be held on Wednesday, March 17, 2010, at 2:30 p.m., in room SD-366 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building. The purpose of the hearing is to receive testimony on the following bills: S. 553, to revise the authorized route of the North Country National Scenic Trail in northeastern Minnesota to include existing hiking trails along Lake Superior's north shore and in Superior National Forest and Chippewa National Forest, and for other purposes; S. 1017, to reauthorize the Cane River National Heritage Area Commission and expand the boundaries of the Cane River National Heritage Area in the State of Louisiana; S. 1018, to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to enter into an agreement with Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, Louisiana, to construct a curatorial center for the use of Cane River Creole National Historical Park, the National Center for Preservation Technology and Training, and the University, and for other purposes; S. 1537, to authorize the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Director of the National Park Service, to designate the Dr. Norman E. Borlaug Birthplace and Childhood Home in Cresco, Iowa, as a National Historic Site and as a unit of the National Park System, and for other purposes; S. 1629, to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a special resource study of the archeological site and surrounding land of the New Philadelphia town site in the state of Illinois, and for other purposes; S. 2892, to establish the Alabama Black Belt National Heritage Area, and for other purposes; S. 2933, to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a special resource study to determine the suitability and feasibility of designating the Colonel Charles Young Home in Xenia, Ohio, as a unit of the National Park System, and for other purposes; S. 2951, to authorize funding to protect and conserve lands contiguous with the Blue Ridge Parkway to serve the public, and for other purposes; and H.R. 3804, to make technical corrections to various Acts affecting the National Park Service, to extend, amend, or establish certain National Park Service authorities, and for other purposes. Because of the limited time available for the hearing, witnesses may testify by invitation only. However, those wishing to submit written testimony for the hearing record should send it to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, United States Senate, Washington, DC 20510-6150, or by email to allison_seyferth@energy.senate .gov. For further information, please contact David Brooks at (202) 224- 9863 or Allison Seyferth at (202) 224-4905.

Mr. BINGAMAN

Mr. BINGAMAN. Mr. President, I rise in opposition to the motion of the Senator from South Carolina to suspend rule XXII and offer an amendment to prohibit the establishment of national monuments under the Antiquities Act or any other law. I understand that the proposed amendment is in response to allegations that a portion of an internal planning memo at the Department of the Interior identified several areas throughout the country as areas that may be appropriate for potential national monument consideration. The Secretary of the Interior has stated that the document was simply a brainstorming exercise to identify sites on public land that might merit more serious consideration for possible management options, and that no decisions have been made about which areas, if any, might merit more serious review and consideration. I don't think it makes sense to try to legislate every time an article appears in a newspaper. I would observe that even the document in question that was leaked to certain Members of Congress states that ``further evaluations should be completed prior to any decision, including an assessment of public and Congressional support,'' and Secretary Salazar has publicly stated his view that new designations and conservation initiatives work best when they build on local efforts. So I think that any attempt to legislate at this time is very premature. Apart from the substantive problems with the proposed DeMint amendment, the travel promotion bill is not the appropriate legislation to consider this issue, and waiving the Senate rules to allow for consideration of an amendment that would not otherwise be in order is, in my view, not appropriate. For these reasons, I oppose the motion to suspend rule XXII.

Mr. BINGAMAN

Mr. BINGAMAN. Mr. President, I would like to announce for the information of the Senate and the public that a hearing has been scheduled before the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. The hearing will be held on Thursday, March 4, 2009, at 10 a.m., in room SD-366 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building. The purpose of this hearing is to examine the Department of Energy's implementation of programs authorized and funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Because of the limited time available for the hearing, witnesses may testify by invitation only. However, those wishing to submit written testimony for the hearing record may do so by sending it to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, United States Senate, Washington, D.C. 20510-6150, or by e-mail to Abigail _Campbell@energy.senate.gov. For further information, please contact Mike Carr at (202) 224-8164 or Abigail Campbell at (202) 224-1219.

Mr. BINGAMAN

Mr. BINGAMAN. Mr. President, I would like to announce for the information of the Senate and the public that a hearing has been scheduled before the Subcommittee on Public Lands and Forests. The hearing will be held on Wednesday, March 10, 2010, at 2:30 p.m., in room SD-366 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building. The purpose of the hearing is to receive testimony on the following bills: S. 2895, to restore forest landscapes, protect old growth forests, and manage national forests in the eastside forests of the State of Oregon, and for other purposes; S. 2907, to establish a coordinated avalanche protection program, and for other purposes; S. 2966 and H.R. 4474, to authorize the continued use of certain water diversions located on National Forest System land in the Frank Church- River of No Return Wilderness and the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness in the State of Idaho, and for other purposes; and S. 2791 and H.R. 3759, to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to grant economy-related contract extensions of a certain timber contracts between the Secretary of the Interior and timber purchasers, and for other purposes. Because of the limited time available for the hearing, witnesses may testify by invitation only. However, those wishing to submit written testimony for the hearing record should send it to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, U.S. Senate, Washington, DC 20510-6150, or by email to allison_seyferth@energy.senate.gov. For further information, please contact Scott Miller at (202) 224- 5488 or Allison Seyferth at (202) 224-4905.

Mr. BINGAMAN

Mr. BINGAMAN. Mr. President, I would like to announce for the information of the Senate and the public that a business meeting scheduled before Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, previously announced for February 10th, has been rescheduled and will now be held on Wednesday, March 3, 2010, at 10 a.m., immediately preceding the full committee hearing, in room SD-366 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building. The purpose of the business meeting is to consider pending nominations. For further information, please contact Sam Fowler at (202) 224-7571 or Amanda Kelly at (202) 224-6836.

Mr. BINGAMAN

Mr. BINGAMAN. Mr. President, I would like to announce for the information of the Senate and the public that the hearing scheduled before the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, previously announced for February 10th, has been rescheduled and will now be held on Wednesday, March 3, 2010, at 10 a.m., in room SD-366 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building. The purpose of this hearing is to consider the President's Proposed Budget for Fiscal Year 2011 for the Department of the Interior. Because of the limited time available for the hearing, witnesses may testify by invitation only. However, those wishing to submit written testimony for the hearing record should send it to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, 304 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, DC 20510-6150, or by email to allison_seyferth @energy.senate.gov. For further information, please contact David Brooks at (202) 224- 9863 or Allison Seyferth at (202) 224-4905. Committee on Energy and Natural Resources

Mr. BINGAMAN. Mr. President, I would like to announce for the information of the Senate and the public that a hearing has been scheduled before the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. The hearing will be held on Wednesday, February 24, 2010, at 10 a.m., in room SD-366 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building. The purpose of this hearing is to consider the President's Proposed Budget for Fiscal Year 2011 for the Forest Service. Because of the limited time available for the hearing, witnesses may testify by invitation only. However, those wishing to submit written testimony for the hearing record should send it to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, 304 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, DC 20510-6150, or by email to allison_seyferth @energy.senate.gov. For further information, please contact Scott Miller at (202) 224- 5488 or Allison Seyferth at (202) 224-4905

Mr. BINGAMAN. Mr. President, I would like to announce for the information of the Senate and the public that a hearing has been scheduled before the Subcommittee on Water and Power of the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. The hearing will be held on Thursday, February 25, 2010; at 10:30 a.m., in room SD-366 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building in Washington, DC. The purpose of this oversight hearing is to examine the science and policy behind the Federal framework and non-Federal efforts to prevent introduction of the aquatic invasive Asian carp into the Great Lakes. Because of the limited time available for the hearing, witnesses may testify by invitation only. However, those wishing to submit written testimony for the hearing record should send it to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, United States Senate, Washington, DC 20510-6150, or by email to GinaWeinstock@energy.senate .gov. For further information, please contact Tanya Trujillo at (202) 224- 5479 or Gina Weinstock at (202) 224-5684. committee on indian affairs

Mr. BINGAMAN

Mr. BINGAMAN. Mr. President, I would like to announce for the information of the Senate and the public that a hearing has been scheduled before the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources The hearing will be held on Monday, February 15, 2010 at 2:30 p.m., at the Corbett Center (Ballroom-Eastside) on the campus of New Mexico State University, in Las Cruces, New Mexico. The purpose of the hearing is to receive testimony on S. 1689, the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks Wilderness Act. Because of the limited time available for the hearing, witnesses may testify by invitation only. However, those wishing to submit written testimony for the hearing record should send it to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, United States Senate, Washington, DC 20510-6150. For further information, please contact David Brooks at (202) 224- 9863 or Allison Seyferth at (202) 224-4905.

Mr. BINGAMAN

Mr. BINGAMAN. Mr. President, I would like to announce for the information of the Senate and the public that a hearing has been scheduled before the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. The hearing will be held on Tuesday, February 15, 2010 at 2:30 p.m., at the Corbett Center (Ballroom-Eastside) on the campus of New Mexico State University, in Las Cruces, New Mexico. The purpose of the hearing is to receive testimony on S. 1689, the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks Wilderness Act. Because of the limited time available for the hearing, witnesses may testify by invitation only. However, those wishing to submit written testimony for the hearing record should send it to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, United States Senate, Washington, DC 20510-6150. For further information, please contact David Brooks at (202) 224- 9863 or Allison Seyferth at (202) 224-4905.

Mr. BINGAMAN

Mr. BINGAMAN. Mr. President, I would like to announce for the information of the Senate and the public that a hearing has been scheduled before the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. The hearing will be held on Tuesday, February 9, 2010, at 10 a.m., in room SD-366 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building. The purpose of the hearing is to examine financial transmission rights and other electricity market mechanisms. Because of the limited time available for the hearing, witnesses may testify by invitation only. However, those wishing to submit written testimony for the hearing record may do so by sending it to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, United States Senate, Washington, D.C. 20510-6150, or by e-mail to Gina_Weinstock@energy .senate.gov. For further information, please contact Leon Lowery or Kevin Huyler or Gina Weinstock. committee on energy and natural resources

Mr. BINGAMAN. Mr. President, I would like to announce for the information of the Senate and the public that the hearing scheduled before Committee on the Energy and Natural Resources, previously announced for February 9th, has been rescheduled and will now be held on Thursday, February 11, 2010, at 9:30 a.m., in room SD-366 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building. The purpose of the hearing is to receive testimony on the U.S. Department of Energy's Loan Guarantee Program. Because of the limited time available for the hearing, witnesses may testify by invitation only. However, those wishing to submit written testimony for the hearing record may do so by sending it to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, United States Senate, Washington, D.C. 20510-6150, or by e-mail to Abigail_Campbell@ energy.senate.gov. For further information, please contact Mike Carr or Abigail Campbell.

Mr. BINGAMAN

Mr. BINGAMAN. Mr. President, I would like to announce for the information of the Senate and the public, that the hearing scheduled before the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, for Tuesday, February 2, 2010, will begin at 2:30 p.m., in room SD-366 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building. The purpose of the hearing is to consider the nominations of Larry Persily, to be Federal Coordinator for Alaska Natural Gas Transportation Projects, and Patricia A. Hoffman, to be an Assistant Secretary of Energy (Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability). Because of the limited time available for the hearing, witnesses may testify by invitation only. However, those wishing to submit written testimony for the hearing record may do so by sending it to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, United States Senate, Washington, DC 20510-6150, or by e-mail to amanda_kelly@energy.senate.gov. For further information, please contact Sam Fowler at (202) 224-7571 or Amanda Kelly at (202) 224-6836.

Mr. BINGAMAN

Mr. BINGAMAN. Mr. President, I would like to announce for the information of the Senate and the public that a business meeting scheduled before the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, previously announced for February 11th, has been rescheduled and will now be held on Wednesday, February 10, 2010, at 9:30 a.m., immediately preceding the full committee hearing, in room SD-366 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building. The purpose of the business meeting is to consider pending nominations. For further information, please contact Sam Fowler or Amanda Kelly.

Mr. BINGAMAN

Mr. BINGAMAN. Mr. President, I want to speak for a few minutes about the upcoming confirmation vote on Chairman Bernanke of the Federal Reserve Board. I should begin by stating very clearly that there is no way to overestimate the severity of the economic downturn that began in this country in 2007. To date, our Nation has lost 7.2 million jobs. In my home State of New Mexico, unemployment is now 7.8 percent. That is more than twice the rate it was 2 years ago. But even at that it is considerably lower than the unemployment rate in many States--in fact, in a majority of States. American households have lost $12.6 trillion in wealth; more than 5 million American families have seen their homes foreclosed, many have lost their businesses, and many have lost their farms. In short, there are millions of families across our country who are and have been experiencing severe economic pain and dislocation. While indicators suggest the recession has officially ended, our economy is hardly out of the woods. In the face of such pain, it is tempting to grasp for ways to demonstrate disapproval of the economic downturn or to put distance between ourselves as elected officials and the policies involved with the economic downturn. It is tempting, particularly in this political climate, to want to seize on a particular individual to take the brunt of the criticism. I rise today to urge my colleagues not to use Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke's renomination for any such exercise. I rise to offer my strong support for his reconfirmation. With the benefit of hindsight, it now seems the Fed might have done more to prevent the economic downturn. Some have pointed to financial institution bailouts and have argued that the Fed should not have provided financial support or guarantees to vulnerable financial institutions. Some have argued that the Fed's support should have been structured differently. Historians, with 20/20 hindsight, will be able to argue those issues for years to come. But hindsight also tells us that without the bold and aggressive actions Chairman Bernanke in fact took, the outcome of this economic downturn could have been considerably worse. I can imagine no Fed Chairman since the Great Depression who has faced such a Herculean task. If ever there were praise for averting a disaster, then in my view Chairman Bernanke deserves that praise. He deserves praise for working effectively with other domestic and foreign agencies to ensure the continuity of our global banking system, for taking significant steps to boost banks' access to funding, and for establishing targeted lending programs to restart the flow of credit in critical markets. It is because of this skillfulness and aptitude that Chairman Bernanke demonstrated he has had the strong support of President Obama for reconfirmation to his position. President Obama said the Chairman's ``bold, persistent experimentation, has brought our economy back from the brink.'' Similarly, in nominating Chairman Bernanke to his first term, President George W. Bush said he was choosing Chairman Bernanke for his ``reputation for intellectual rigor and integrity'' and the ``deep respect he enjoyed in the global financial community.'' It would be shortsighted for this Congress to second-guess the judgment of our current and our former Presidents in this regard. President Obama's call for the reappointment of Chairman Bernanke is echoed by some of our Nation's most distinguished economic thinkers. Former Chairmen Alan Greenspan and Paul Volcker have both said it would be irresponsible not to extend Chairman Bernanke's term. Douglas Holtz- Eakin, who was Senator McCain's chief economic adviser in the 2008 election campaign, says ``it would be a disaster not to confirm'' Bernanke. Warren Buffett has said if he could vote for Mr. Bernanke's confirmation he would--twice. As Mr. Buffett explained: We talked about [the economic downturn] being an economic Pearl Harbor, and he did what should have been done in response to that Pearl Harbor. These respected economic thinkers know that emerging from our Nation's deepest and most protracted economic downturn since the Great Depression will require continuity of policy. Financial conditions might now suggest that our economy is in fact turning around, but a complete turnaround will require that families and businesses, investors and financial markets see consistent policy actions. Central to that consistency and that continuity is leadership at the helm of the Federal Reserve Board. If we were to change chairmen now, we would add considerable uncertainty to our already fragile business and financial markets and almost certainly trigger a sell-off of the dollar and a sell-off of equities. This could have the unfortunate effect of prolonging the economic downturn we are now experiencing. Finally, while I rise to support Chairman Bernanke's reconfirmation, I also renew my call for policymakers in all positions, ourselves included, to make job creation the centerpiece of any economic recovery agenda. We in the Congress must also press forward with the urgent task of reforming our financial regulatory infrastructure, the cracks and holes of which have been exposed by this recession. Our Nation faces considerable and urgent challenges. In my view, that is why it is essential that Ben Bernanke be confirmed for another term as Chairman of the Federal Reserve Board. I yield the floor.