Than we hoped to get you in this role, were glad to have you at the helm. We look forward to helping you get a full complement of folks there at the Budget Department as well. The budget approach takes a different approach this year than weve seen in the past. This is portion of the department that falls outside the scope of our committee here. The administration has also requested robust fund frg the cleanup of Nuclear Waste left behind by our countrys cold war legacy. The budget request proposes deep cuts to research and development for energy and science. It also proposes to phaseout innovative programs that have had demonstrated success. I understand what drove this proposal, but im also concerned by certain parts of it. The United States is the world leader in science and energy. We like it that way. We want to keep it that way. And at the core of that is the work done at our National Labs and universities by the men and women who dedicate their careers to further science. Members on both side of this Committee Want to maintain and strengthen that leadership. So we want to be careful we dont get in the way of the good work or private role of the sector. But keep in mind many of us have found good opportunities where it makes sense to increase funding for rnd. I appreciate the need to find savings and balance the budget, but that can cannot come on the expense of science and invasion. The department should continue to push the lemts of science in order to ensure the next generation of Energy Technologies is developed here in this country. Although, i do not support all the proposals in this budget request, i agree we do have some areas of agreement here. I also believe we can undertake reforms at the department to save tax dollars. Our loan program is a good champ of how that can work. My job to drive down the costs of prekmrlgs technologies to make energies more affordable, reliable, clean, diverse and secure. Take you back to energy 20 20, those principles havent changed. So secretary carrie, again, thank you for being here this morning. I hope to be able to host you up in the state soon. I know youve made similar statements to colleagues in the congress here. We look forward to hearing your priorities outlined before the committee this morning. And ill turn to our Ranking Member. Thank you, madam chair for hoeding this hearing. And welcome back, mr. Secretary. The department of energy is a Global Leader in science and technology with an unrivalled network of national lab toirds. Its also a key to our National Security when it comes to nuclear and cyber threats. It would devastate emerging Clean Energy Jobs in our economy. It would kill science and invasion and the jobs that doe supports. The budget would raise electricity rates in the northwest. I guarantee a number of people on this committee will not be supportive of that. It will undermine leadership in a sector that is posed to grow millions of jobs around the world. And more than 30 trillion will be invested in new Renewable Energy facilities between now and 2040. So weve heard a lot about the socalled Energy Dominance from this administration. Id like to hear a lot less of exporting commodities that even countries like china are starting to have a lot of blow back on and pledging more on how were going to win the efficiency, advance technologies and things that consumers around the world are pledging commitment to. As this committee recently showed the cost of Clean Energy Technology has dropped between 4 and 41 since 2008. I was excited to join the chair on a trip with where we saw how energy was helping businesses save dollars and how microgrids in alaska are looking for every advancement they can get in driving down the costs of energy. This is something that both democrat and republican administrations have supported. But President Trumps budget is a break in that bipartisan tradition. Its an attempt to turn back the clock on energy policy, i think, at the expense of the future. During your confirmation hearing you committed to protecting science, protecting the men and women who advocate for that science and advocating for a professional lab. But specifically this budget proepgss to eliminate rpe, which the advanced high potential, high impact advance technologies that are either too high to take on or advance to take on our nation. And the Assistance Program which provides crystal assistance to 50 states to help them. And the proposed cuts to the office of Energy Efficiency and renewable naerjs and 48 to the electricity liability. I guarantee you thats something that everybody across the board here cares about. And a 17 cut in the office of science, which is the largest sponsor of science and physical science. This week you questioned the certainty of Science Behind the Climate Change. And during your confirmation hearing you said im going to protect all the science, whether its related to climate or whatever aspects. So mr. Secretary, with all due respect, i want to make sure that you and your office have all the information you need on science. Your Budget Proposal slashes the biological and Environmental Research within the office of science, the office that supports Climate Research by 43 . And another troubling area is the important area for doe on Energy Infrastructure. Our grid is under attackmism from 2012 to 2016 the number of reported incidents to u. S. Infrastructure nor nan doubled. And according to the Washington Post story last week, Russian Hackers have already shown interest in targeting u. S. Energy and utility systems. So this threat to our grid is clearly growing. And this morning i along with 18 of my colleagues are sending a second let door the president reiterating the doe should readdress this threat to our infrastructure. Nevertheless, your budget slashes the cyber funding by 30 . So i want to see a larger investment in this very, very critical area to our infrastructure. Id like to mention i know my colleague from washington had a chance to talk to you about funding yesterday. And im incredibly disappointed to see the administrations approach to the hanford cleanup. It demonstrates a disregard for had health and safety of the individuals who are working in our state. The Trump Administration needs to understand if we do not prioritize hanford funding and the safety and security, we are going to have security problems. These recent sthents are a wake up call for the administration. And thats why im working to ensure the resources are there for the public. Now, i know i have probably have a little sheet of all the ideas and themes people have come up with in the past. We had secretary watson delay the treatment plan. For two years the Clinton Administration planned the prioritization of the plan to pay contractors. We saw secretary avidson try to cleanup the plan. We had secretary muniz explore new ways. So all im saying that every Energy Secretary comes into office pressured, pressured more by some omb person who knows nothing about science trying to do cleanup on the cheap. I guarantee it cant be done. We have to remain resolute and committed. So i look forward to asking about that. But i know many of my colleagues both in the northwest on this committee and on the up proeperations committee will have a lot to say about hanford. Thank you. Its good to have you before the committee. I will note that allison dune is with the secretary this morning. She is the acting chief and Financial Officer for doe. I understand you will not be providing testimony this morning, but thank you for being here with the secretary. And miss secretary, with that if you would like to begin your remarks so that we can turn to questions. Senator, thank you. And its a privilege to be in front of you and the committee again. Senator campwell, members of the committee its an honor to be here to discuss President Trumps fiscal year 2018 budget request. As each of you know it is a great privilege to serve as this 14th secretary of energy. As a former legislator i might add an appropriateerator as well and the governor, i am very respectful of the budget writing process and the importance of the work youve undertaken. I look forward to working with you to finalize a budget we can all be proud of and the service of the taxpayers of this country as well. In my three and a half months as secretary of energy ive seen firsthand the impact of the leadership both domestically and internationally. Ive traveled around the country, been to some of our states. And senator campwell, i intend to get to hanford asap likely this summer to look atthet, to talk to the men and women who are working there, visit with those brilliant individuals that are on sight that i happen to take a lot of faith in their knowledge of whats needed and how to address these issues that are driving their mission. So i look forward to being in a lot of your states over the course of the next months ahead. These labs truly are as you have all noted either today or in previous conversations are national treasures. Theyre the future of innovation in this country. And i have been in absolute awe of the diverse scope of the departments mission and the consequential work that we are charged with undertaking. Ive also traveled over seas representing the United States at the g7 meeting in rome and then in beijing for the clean invasion and had the opportunity to visit japan and meet with leaders ask stakeholders about the Energy Partnership that the u. S. And japan has. And on a very somber note, i toured the side of the fukushima disaster and saw firsthand the absolute Monumental Task they have before them. My trip to asia coincidently began on the day that President Trump announced that we would officially withdraw the United States from the paris agreement. I delivered his message to the world that even though the u. S. Would be no longer part of the paris agreement, we are still the leader in Clean Energy Technology. And we are committed to that mission. The department of energy does many things well. America has remained on the forefront of technology for over 40 years because of the amazing men and women at these labs. And you particularly understand this with the two you have in your state. They wake up every day knowing that they will make a real difference in the world. And i told them the first time i met with them that the greatest job i ever had was being the governor of texas. But after working here, ive come to realize the secretary of energy is officially the coolest job ive ever had, senator. Under my leadership, our experts at doe will continue their work for the benefit of every american and our allies alike. As secretary of energy im also a member of the National Security council, this council supported by doe in its mission to keep our nation safe. President trumps fiscal year 2018 budget request provides 28 billion to advance our key missions and focuses on important investments including insuring the safety and effectiveness of our Nuclear Weapons arsenal, protecting our Energy Infrastructure from Cyber Attacks and other threats, achieving computing and focusing network on your National Laboratories on Early Stage Research and development. And my goals are straightforward. Advance our nations Critical Energy and rnd, strengthen our nuclear security, and fulfill our management commitment. I just painted you a rather rosy picture. And while there is a lot of good news to report, there are other hard conversations we need to have as youre well aware. There are approximately 120 sites in 39 states that storing spent nuclear fuel or high level waste. In fact many members of this committee have waste in their states. We have a moral and a National Security obligation to come up with a longterm solution, finding the safest repositories available. This is a tenseatisensitive top some, but we no longer can continue to kick the can down the road. As a former legislative approperator and governor, i understand how important following the rule of law is. Ive been instructed to move fords towards that gall. The president s budget requests 120 million to resume activity for the waste repository and to initiate a robust interm storage program. We also need to be good stewards to the taxpayer dollars. Congress has spent 5 billion on the mock project which is way over budget with noened in sight and has a 2048 completion date. It could be used for other priorities Like National cleanup of other sites. There are better, cheaper ways to dispose of plutonium. Nagt were using that process now. I look forward to having an ongoing dialogue with many of you in the days to come. This proposal makes some difficult choices, but it is paramount we initiate our fudishiary responsible to the american taxpayer. Dealing with the mission of the department by consolidating dupeications within our agents is in order. And it does in fact respect our taxpayers. He deserves credit for beginning this discussion of how we most widely spend our scarce federal dollars. As for me, this isnt my first rodeo. Having been the governor of texas for 14 years, i managed under some pretty tight budget consequences. It wasnt all blue skies and smooth sailing. We had some substantial budget shortfalls duringthality period of time that i have governor. And we were able to budget successfully. And we faced limited resources at times. And texas became a shining example of energy growth, economic growth, higher educational standards and important improvements to the environment. I will manage the same way at the department of energy. And we did that in my home state by working together. And thats one of the things that i want to really bring forward today is my intention of working with you. I understand this budgetary process. I understand its the first step. But i am committed to working with you, each of you in the ways that you direct. I understand this process. I respect it, set clear goal, manage the best and it brightest achieve those goals, and spending scarce resources wisely. With your help i abelieve we can attain many of the positive outcomes that you expect you want to see the department of energy is capable of delivering on behalf of the American People. So thank you again, chairman. And i look forward to attempting to answer your questions. Thank you, mr. Secretary. Appreciate your enthusiasm for your new role. Im sure that will get through every day, and somedays are easier than others. We all know that around here. Let me start by questioning by rpe because i am a big fan of rpe. I recognize when we think about the department of energy and one of the cool things you get to do is help facilitate some of these great fabulous ideas that change the country, change the world. But as we all know, cool ideas that started in somebodys garage dont always end up making it through. We talk a lot around this committee about the socalled valley of death with energy invasions. And good things happen, but they just cant make it to that point of commercialization. When i think of the role of rpe and how it has really helped to be that bridge, its investments have reportedly spurred nearly 2 billion on follow of on priebt sector funding. And this is exactly the type of thing we should be doing. So the question to you this morning to start things off, do you support the mission of rpe, and if so, if we eliminate where are we . Where does that put the department of energy and that space you should be occupying which is to help really revolutionize and change the world here . Senator, you asked the perfect question. And i think from my perspective the results of being able to deliver the next big thing, if you will and when you think about the department of energy and other arpa types ofagy agencies like darpa for incidence and internet fracturing, was greatly assisted by the department of energy. As you shared extraordinary stories of technology and invasion thats come outofthe department of energy, arpa e was created about a decade ago and was funded for the first time in 09. As i said, i understand this budgetary process, and im going to follow your lead when it comes to i know how the money is appropriated, and i know how the instructions come. So if the result is we want to department of energy to be really focused on pushing these new ideas out, getting them to commercialization, i am incredibly supportive of that do you think thats a role of the department . I do. I think there is a real role to play on getting basic research funded, gas funding, to that to ppoint where you can commercialize it. Were going to argue about, senator franken, whether its this much or this much or what have you. But i dont think were going to have an argument about if you look at my history, as the governor of texas we helped create Technology Funds in that state that commercialized technologies that would have died in that valley of death as you referred to if that had not been there. Now, senator, were going to have a discussion here and debate about whats the proper structure. Is it in is it the arpa e structure . If thats what the congress decides, perry, this street chuckture were going to have, youve got t