Hearings to examine the nominations of Lanny Erdos, of Ohio, to be Director of the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, and Audrey Robertson, of Colorado, to be an Assistant Secretary (Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy), Timothy John Walsh, of Colorado, to be an Assistant Secretary (Environmental Management), and David Eisner, of New York, to be an Assistant Secretary, all of the Department of Energy.

1[Senate Hearing 119-123]2[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]34                                                        S. Hrg. 119-12356                       EISNER, WALSH, ROBERTSON,7                         AND ERDOS NOMINATIONS8=======================================================================910                                HEARING1112                               BEFORE THE1314                              COMMITTEE ON15                      ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES16                          UNITED STATES SENATE1718                    ONE HUNDRED NINETEENTH CONGRESS1920                             FIRST SESSION2122                                   TO2324 CONSIDER THE NOMINATIONS OF DAVID EISNER TO BE ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF25ENERGY FOR INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS, DEPARMENT OF ENERGY; TIMOTHY WALSH TO26    BE ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF ENERGY FOR ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT,27  DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY; AUDREY ROBERTSON TO BE ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF28   ENERGY FOR ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND RENEWABLE ENERGY, DEPARTMENT OF29ENERGY; AND LANNY ERDOS TO BE DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE OF SURFACE MINING30        RECLAMATION AND ENFORCEMENT, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR3132                               __________3334                              JULY 9, 20253536                               __________3738                       Printed for the use of the39               Committee on Energy and Natural Resources4041        Available via the World Wide Web: http://www.govinfo.gov4243                                __________4445                   U.S. GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING OFFICE4661-243                      WASHINGTON : 202647-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------4849               COMMITTEE ON ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES5051                        MIKE LEE, Utah, Chairman52JOHN BARRASSO, Wyoming               MARTIN HEINRICH, New Mexico53JAMES E. RISCH, Idaho                RON WYDEN, Oregon54STEVE DAINES, Montana                MARIA CANTWELL, Washington55TOM COTTON, Arkansas                 MAZIE K. HIRONO, Hawaii56DAVID McCORMICK, Pennsylvania        ANGUS S. KING, Jr., Maine57JAMES C. JUSTICE, West Virginia      CATHERINE CORTEZ MASTO, Nevada58BILL CASSIDY, Louisiana              JOHN W. HICKENLOOPER, Colorado59CINDY HYDE-SMITH, Mississippi        ALEX PADILLA, California60LISA MURKOWSKI, Alaska               RUBEN GALLEGO, Arizona61JOHN HOEVEN, North Dakota6263                  Wendy Baig, Majority Staff Director64            Patrick J. McCormick III, Majority Chief Counsel65                 Jasmine Hunt, Minority Staff Director66                 Sam E. Fowler, Minority Chief Counsel6768                            C O N T E N T S6970                              ----------7172                           OPENING STATEMENTS7374                                                                   Page75Lee, Hon. Mike, Chairman and a U.S. Senator from Utah............     176Heinrich, Hon. Martin, Ranking Member and a U.S. Senator from77  New Mexico.....................................................     478McCormick, Hon. David, a U.S. Senator from Pennsylvania..........     57980                               WITNESSES8182Eisner, David, nominated to be Assistant Secretary of Energy for83  International Affairs, Department of Energy....................     784Walsh, Timothy, nominated to be Assistant Secretary of Energy for85  Environmental Management, Department of Energy.................    1186Robertson, Audrey, nominated to be Assistant Secretary of Energy87  for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Department of88  Energy.........................................................    1589Erdos, Lanny, nominated to be the Director of the Office of90  Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, Department of the91  Interior.......................................................    199293          ALPHABETICAL LISTING AND APPENDIX MATERIAL SUBMITTED9495American Coal Council:96    Letter for the Record........................................    8497Eisner, David:98    Opening Statement............................................     799    Written Testimony............................................     9100    Responses to Questions for the Record........................    46101Energy Communities Alliance:102    Letter for the Record........................................    70103Erdos, Lanny:104    Opening Statement............................................    19105    Written Testimony............................................    21106    Responses to Questions for the Record........................    69107Hanford Communities:108    Letter for the Record........................................    73109Heinrich, Hon. Martin:110    Opening Statement............................................     4111Lee, Hon. Mike:112    Opening Statement............................................     1113McCormick, Hon. David:114    Opening Statement............................................     5115Ohio Coal Association:116    Letter for the Record........................................    85117Richland, WA (City of):118    Letter for the Record........................................    75119Robertson, Audrey:120    Opening Statement............................................    15121    Written Testimony............................................    17122    Responses to Questions for the Record........................    56123Scioto Valley-Piketon Area Council of Governments:124    Letter for the Record........................................    78125SRS Community Reuse Organization:126    Letter for the Record........................................    81127Walsh, Timothy:128    Opening Statement............................................    11129    Written Testimony............................................    13130    Responses to Questions for the Record........................    51131Wyoming Energy Authority:132    Letter for the Record........................................    86133Wyoming Mining Association:134    Letter for the Record........................................    87135136                       EISNER, WALSH, ROBERTSON,137                         AND ERDOS NOMINATIONS138139                              ----------140141                        WEDNESDAY, JULY 9, 2025142143                                       U.S. Senate,144                 Committee on Energy and Natural Resources,145                                                    Washington, DC.146    The Committee met, pursuant to notice, at 9:30 a.m. in Room147SD-366, Dirksen Senate Office Building, Hon. Mike Lee, Chairman148of the Committee, presiding.149150              OPENING STATEMENT OF HON. MIKE LEE,151                     U.S. SENATOR FROM UTAH152153    The Chairman. The Committee will come to order. Good154morning and welcome to all of you.155    Before beginning my opening statement, I want to let my156colleagues know how we will proceed today with this hearing. I157also want to thank Senator Heinrich and his staff for working158with us on the schedule for today's activities and to thank all159Senators in advance for their participation. Today, we will be160holding our eighth hearing on nominations to serve in this161administration in posts under this Committee's jurisdiction,162and we will hear testimony from four nominees for important163positions in the government.164    I thank President Trump for sending us these nominees. They165are: at the Department of Energy, David Eisner, to be the166Assistant Secretary of Energy for International Affairs;167Timothy Walsh, to be the Assistant Secretary of Energy for168Environmental Management; Audrey Robertson, to be the Assistant169Secretary of Energy for Energy Efficiency and Renewable170Energy--I think the name of the game at the Department of171Energy is use the word energy as many times in these titles172they possibly can--and then, at the Department of the Interior,173we have Lanny Erdos, to be the Director of the Office of174Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement.175    We will now meet these highly qualified nominees and allow176them each to give an opening statement and to introduce their177family and friends. I will go over a brief introduction of each178of them first.179    Our first witness today will be David Eisner, to be180Assistant Secretary of Energy for International Affairs. At the181Department of Energy, the Office of International Affairs, or182IA, is the primary coordinator for international implementation183of the Department's programs, including bilateral meetings with184foreign energy leaders and programs. IA works to advance185America's economic and energy goals and also to counter malign186influences that could threaten our nation's energy supply. The187Office leads dozens of bilateral and regional fora, advocates188for American energy priorities, and is the lead office for189DOE's responsibilities as a member of the Committee on Foreign190Investment in the United States, or CFIUS.191    Mr. Eisner is an excellent choice to handle these duties.192He currently serves as Counselor to the Secretary of the193Treasury, and in the first Trump administration was the194Assistant Secretary for Management at the U.S. Department of195the Treasury, as well as serving as the Acting Treasurer of the196United States. During his prior service at Treasury, Assistant197Secretary Eisner helped develop the Department's $13 billion198budget, as well as engage in strategic planning, risk199management, and led the implementation of various Treasury200programs. He also provided the internal oversight of all201Treasury bureaus, including the IRS.202    In the private sector, Mr. Eisner has worked as an203operating partner at Edison Parker in New York, Chairman of204K1x, Inc., and as Chairman of the Board at Finality LTD. He205holds a bachelor of science in accounting and government from206American University and earned his juris doctorate from Boston207University School of Law.208    Next, we will hear from Timothy Walsh, to be Assistant209Secretary of Energy for Environmental Management. Our210colleague, Senator David McCormick, will introduce Mr. Walsh211because they served in uniform together, but before he does so,212I will remark briefly on this position and on Mr. Walsh's213impressive career.214    The Office of Environmental Management supports the215Department of Energy to meet the challenges of the nation's216Manhattan Project and Cold War legacy responsibilities.217Established in 1989, it is responsible for the cleanup of218radioactive waste, spent nuclear fuel and materials, and219disposing of transuranic and low-level waste and contaminated220soil and water, and decommissioning excess facilities. This221office oversees an annual budget of more than $8 billion, over22290 percent of which is contracted to industry. Mr. Walsh is the223CEO of Confluence Companies. He graduated from the United224States Military Academy. At Ranger School, he served as an Army225officer with the 237th Engineer Battalion in Heilbronn, Germany226and commanded a company in an engineer battalion of the 82nd227Airborne Division, deploying in support of Operations Desert228Shield and Desert Storm, where he earned the Bronze Star for229heroism.230    After his military service, Mr. Walsh earned an M.S. in231civil engineering and construction and management from Stanford232University. He then joined Rudolph and Sletten as a project233manager in California and served as VP at Mortenson, overseeing234projects exceeding $3.5 billion.235    Third, we will hear testimony from Audrey Robertson, to be236Assistant Secretary of Energy for Energy Efficiency and237Renewable Energy. The Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable238Energy (EERE) encompasses 11 technology offices in the239Department, focusing on issues including solar, wind, hydrogen,240and geothermal. EERE's research agenda is centered on emerging241geothermal and hydropower technologies, biofuels, and critical242minerals. Securing domestic supply chains for critical minerals243and components of energy technologies, strengthening America's244industrial sector, and ensuring the reliability, security, and245modernization of the electricity grid are all priorities of246this office under the Trump administration.247    Ms. Robertson has been an active business entrepreneur in248the oil and gas field since 2018, including serving as CFO and249Executive VP of Franklin Mountain Energy, LLC, co-founder of an250energy-focused private equity firm in Denver, and is managing251partner of Copper Trail Partners, LLC. Since 2021, Ms.252Robertson has served on the Board of Directors of Liberty253Energy, Inc., and has been Vice Chair of the New Mexico Oil and254Gas Association since 2022. She also worked as an investment255banking analyst at Goldman Sachs and as a director and partner-256member at Kayne Anderson Capital Advisors. Ms. Robertson holds257a bachelor of science, magna cum laude, from Cornell University258and a master's degree in accounting from the University of259Southern California. In addition to her academic achievements,260Ms. Robertson was a member of Cornell's women's varsity polo261team and was named one of the Denver Business Journal's262Outstanding Women in Business in 2014. She is an award-winning263children's author and the proud mother of two sons.264    Fourth and finally, we will hear from the honorable Lanny265Erdos, to be the Director of the Office of Surface Mining266Reclamation and Enforcement. The Office of Surface Mining267Reclamation and Enforcement regulates active coal mining as268required by the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act, or269SMCRA, that ensures mines are restored to beneficial use after270mining activity concludes and mitigates the effects of past271mining through abandoned coal mine reclamation. The Office272authorizes states and tribes to administer their own coal273permitting and regulation activities under SMCRA, subject to274oversight. The Office also helps these states and tribes by275providing operational funding, training, technical assistance,276and support. The President's OSM budget request of $262 million277for Fiscal Year 2026 supports the President's goals to278revitalize the domestic coal industry as part of the economy's279energy sector.280    Mr. Erdos is returning to the position of Director after281having served as Principal Deputy Director at the Office of282Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement beginning in 2019.283Following his service, Mr. Erdos worked in reclamation and284environmental compliance management at Eagle Forge Services,285LLC, and is currently President of Cardinal Reclamation286Company, LLC, Vice President at Eagle Summit Resources, and287Vice President of Iron Eagle Land Rehabilitation. Mr. Erdos has288considerable public policy and industry experience, having289served in various capacities at the State of Ohio's Department290of Natural Resources for 31 years, including nine years as291Chief. His range of responsibilities included the management292and regulation of Ohio's coal and aggregate resources, as well293as management of Ohio's abandoned mine land and mine safety294programs. Mr. Erdos worked extensively with agencies and295departments, including the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency296and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, as well as the297Office of Surface Mining. Mr. Erdos began his career as the298foreman at Horizon Coal Company in Strasburg, Ohio and operator299at Y&O Coal Company in Hopedale, Ohio. Mr. Erdos is a native of300West Virginia and received bipartisan support from the Senate301for this position, to which he was confirmed by a voice vote in3022020.303    Energy underpins everything we do--our jobs, our security,304and our livelihoods. Today, we are going to evaluate nominees305tasked with strengthening every link in America's energy chain.306They are being considered for positions that affect whether we307can mine our own resources, whether we can reclaim what has308been left behind, develop next-generation energy, and do all of309this while defending our interests abroad. Each of these310offices controls vast sums of taxpayer resources, each touches311a critical role in America's energy strategy, and each has,312under the Biden administration, drifted from its core mission.313    The Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement314exists to enforce the law, not slow-walk permits or bog down315states in endless red tape. The Office of Environmental316Management was created to clean up Cold War era nuclear waste,317not to fund open-ended contracts with no accountability. The318Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy has lost its319way, chasing pet projects and overreaching appliance mandates320instead of focusing on early-stage R&D for dispatchable clean321sources like geothermal and hydro. And the Office of322International Affairs, it has to understand the stakes. Energy323can be used as a weapon in the hands of our adversaries. We324need people who know how to use American resources to325strengthen our position, not apologize for it. We need nominees326who are ready to streamline permitting, cut waste, rein in327overreach, and advance an energy strategy that actually works328for the American people.329    So, today, we look forward to hearing from our nominees.330Will abandoned mines be restored, or tied up in bureaucracy331while states wait for Washington to act? Will nuclear waste be332secured and repurposed, or left to sit while federal333contractors bill overtime? Will EERE be a research hub, or a334political slush fund? And will our international engagement335make us stronger, or leave us more dependent? That's the bar.336That's the mission. And we expect results.337    I will now turn to Ranking Member Heinrich for his opening338statement.339340          OPENING STATEMENT OF HON. MARTIN HEINRICH,341                  U.S. SENATOR FROM NEW MEXICO342343    Senator Heinrich. Thank you, Chairman Lee, and welcome, Mr.344Erdos, Ms. Robertson, Mr. Walsh, Mr. Eisner.345    The Committee meets this morning to consider nominations to346four very different offices. They range from expertise in coal347mining to energy efficiency and renewable energy, from cleaning348up nuclear weapon sites, to international affairs. Two things349that the four jobs have in common, however, are their350importance and the responsibility the officeholders will have351to do well by the American people. Our task this morning, as in352every confirmation hearing, is to determine how the nominees we353are asked to entrust with these important offices plan to use354them to do well by the American people.355    Mr. Erdos has the advantage of having been nominated and356confirmed to the position five years ago. And while much may357have changed in the past five years, the need for the Office of358Surface Mining to protect communities and the environment359during mining, to restore the land after mining, and to reclaim360abandoned mine lands, remains as great as ever. Indeed, the361need may be even greater, as this administration seeks to362increase coal production. We need your assurance, Mr. Erdos,363that you remain committed to enforcing our surface mining laws364and regulations and to restoring and reclaiming abandoned mine365lands. Similarly, we seek assurances from you, Mr. Walsh, that366you will work diligently to clean up the environmental legacy367of the Manhattan Project and Cold War weapon sites. Secretary368Wright testified last month that the Department remains369committed to the cleanup program, and we want to hear that370commitment from you as well.371    I harbor greater concerns for your offices, Ms. Robertson372and Mr. Eisner. One of President Trump's first acts after being373sworn in for his second term was to abandon our efforts to374transition to a clean energy economy. The Department has375announced plans to cut dozens of energy efficiency rules that376save consumers hundreds of dollars on their utility bills377annually. It has proposed a 74 percent reduction in next year's378budget for energy efficiency and renewable energy programs.379These cuts, combined with the rollback of the clean energy tax380credits in the reconciliation bill that Republicans supported,381will undoubtedly drive up energy prices. The reconciliation382bill alone is estimated to increase annual energy costs more383than $16 billion in 2030 and more than $33 billion by 2035, and384American families will bear those increased costs.385    I need to ask you, Ms. Robertson, whether you intend to386continue the Department's longstanding efforts to improve387energy efficiency and develop renewable energy sources, or388whether you plan to abandon those programs. I am similarly389concerned by the 40 percent reduction in the Department's390budget request for International Affairs, and this391administration's apparent disdain for our allies and global392alliances. The work of DOE's International Affairs Office is393critical to maintaining U.S. competitiveness and securing394economic alliances with our allies, and I will seek your395assurance, Mr. Eisner, that the Department will remain396committed to working with our allies on international energy397issues.398    I look forward to hearing from our nominees on these and399other issues this morning, and I appreciate their willingness400to take on these important and challenging responsibilities.401    Thank you, Mr. Chairman.402    The Chairman. Senator McCormick.403404          OPENING STATEMENT OF HON. DAVID MCCORMICK,405                 U.S. SENATOR FROM PENNSYLVANIA406407    Senator McCormick. Great. Thank you, Chairman Lee and408Ranking Member Heinrich. Colleagues, thanks for giving me the409opportunity to introduce my friend and fellow West Point410graduate, Tim Walsh, for his nomination to be Assistant411Secretary of Energy for Environmental Management, and412congratulations to all four nominees and thank you for your413willingness to serve. This is a great opportunity to really414focus on a critical part of America's future.415    Tim, welcome to the Committee. I am so thrilled to see you416and Lisa and Alex and Natalie, and Lisa, who I have known for417more than 30 years. And I first met Tim at Fort Bragg as a418young lieutenant in the 82nd Airborne. In 1990, when the 82nd419Airborne Division deployed to Saudi Arabia as part of Operation420Desert Shield, Tim was the Commander of C Company, 307th421Engineering Battalion. I was his executive officer. Tim's Army422career followed in the footsteps of his father, a decorated423soldier who fought in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam, and424took his family around the world. That legacy prepared Tim well425for what we would soon face in the Middle East. In February4261991, our unit rolled across the Iraqi desert in the opening427hours of Desert Storm, helping to clear mines and destroy enemy428munitions. And under the pressure of combat, Tim led our429company with professionalism and courage, dedication to the430mission, and was awarded the Bronze Star.431    Earlier in his career, Tim helped manage base projects in432Turkey and other NATO countries and later earned a master's433degree in civil engineering and construction management from434Stanford. After retiring from the Army as a Captain, Tim435applied what he learned in the military to begin a successful436career in the private sector, eventually founding Confluence, a437major real estate developer based in Golden, Colorado. If438confirmed, Tim would lead the Office of Environmental439Management, which works to clean up some of the world's most440dangerous radioactive sites. Given Tim's experience as an Army441engineer and managing large projects in the private sector, I442am confident he will bring effective leadership to this443important office.444    I hope my colleagues will join me today in supporting this445combat veteran, this patriot, this successful businessman, and446truly, one of the finest people I know. Congratulations, Tim,447and I wish you all the best.448    Thank you, Mr. Chairman.449    The Chairman. Thank you, Senator McCormick.450    The rules of the Committee require that all nominees be451sworn in connection with the testimony they will provide, so if452you would, each of you please rise and raise your right hand.453    Do you solemnly swear that the testimony you are about to454provide to the Committee will be the truth, the whole truth,455and nothing but the truth, so help you God?456    [Witnesses sworn.]457    The Chairman. Let the record reflect that all the witnesses458answered in the affirmative.459    Now, before I have you begin your opening statements, I460will also ask each of the witnesses three questions that are461posed to all nominees appearing before the Committee.462    First, will you be available to appear before the Committee463and other congressional committees to represent departmental464positions and respond to issues of concern to Congress?465    [Witnesses respond, ``yes.'']466    The Chairman. Second, are you aware of any personal467holdings, investments, or interests that could constitute a468conflict of interest or create the appearance of such conflict,469should you be confirmed and assume the office to which you have470been nominated by the President?471    [Witnesses respond, ``no.'']472    The Chairman. And third, are you involved in, or do you473have any assets in a blind trust?474    [Witnesses respond, ``no.'']475    The Chairman. Let the record reflect that all the witnesses476answered in the affirmative to the first question and in the477negative to the two next questions.478    All right, we will now hear from each of you. Mr. Eisner,479we will start with you and then we will move to your left from480there to Mr. Walsh, Ms. Robertson, and Mr. Erdos. Feel free to481introduce any friends or family members, as you may choose, who482may be here today.483    Thank you very much.484485STATEMENT OF DAVID EISNER, NOMINATED TO BE ASSISTANT SECRETARY486   OF ENERGY FOR INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS, DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY487488    Mr. Eisner. Thank you, Chairman Lee, Ranking Member489Heinrich, and distinguished members of the Senate Energy and490Natural Resources Committee.491    I am honored to appear before you as President Trump's492nominee to be the next Assistant Secretary of International493Affairs at the U.S. Department of Energy. I am grateful to494President Trump for the honor and chance to serve my beloved495country again. I am thankful to have the support of many loved496ones today, both from near and far. Here today is my beautiful497fiancee Rachael, my brother Ken, as well as friends and former498colleagues from Treasury and my former business ventures. I am499also grateful to be joined by three of my spiritual guides,500Rabbi Mordechai Kamenetzky from Long Island, New York, Rabbi501Shaul Robinson from New York City, and Rabbi Levi Shemtov from502here in the District. Also, watching online is my 93-year-old503mom, who is taking time out of her daily schedule of board504games and activities at her home to proudly watch her beloved505son appear before the U.S. Senate as a presidential nominee.506    I was born and raised just outside of Pittsburgh, in a507middle-class suburb with my younger brother, Ken, by my father,508who was a bookkeeper, and my mother, who was a schoolteacher.509From an early age, I developed a deep appreciation for public510service and a strong passion for giving back. That came511directly from my parents, who were both active in the512Pittsburgh Jewish community and always taught us the importance513of serving others. As a teenager, I was active in my514synagogue's youth service organization, and in 1975 and 1976, I515had the honor to work for Senator Henry ``Scoop'' Jackson, a516towering figure in the U.S. Senate for three decades. Senator517Jackson inspired my passion for public service, and I went off518to law school believing I would return to Washington, D.C., for519a career in public policy.520    But, as life often does, mine took a different path. After521law school, I was blessed with five separate careers, as a522corporate attorney, investment banker, senior executive of a523global investment bank, entrepreneur and startup CEO, and524investor. In 2000, I co-founded TheMarkets.com, a financial525data company backed by nine global financial institutions. One526board member of that company was someone who's name you might527recognize--Steven Mnuchin. Seventeen years later, then U.S.528Treasury Secretary Mnuchin contacted me and asked if I had any529interest in public service. I enthusiastically said yes. Among530the many roles I played as the Assistant Secretary for531Management at the Treasury Department, in addition to those532roles, from March 2020 until January 2021, I had the privilege533of working alongside a small, dedicated team in the office534every day to design and execute the largest economic rescue535plan in American history. That experience, during a time of536profound national challenge, was both humbling and meaningful.537I was honored to receive the Hamilton Medal, Treasury's highest538award, from Secretary Mnuchin in recognition of my work at539Treasury.540    I feel blessed to have had a successful career of more than541thirty-five years in business. However, I can say without542hesitation that working and serving the American people at the543U.S. Treasury Department was the best job I ever had. Having544previously served in government, I know the sense of purpose545that public service brings. So when I was asked to return, this546time to the Department of Energy, I accepted without547hesitation, and would be honored to serve again, if confirmed.548Even while working in the private sector, I never lost my drive549to make a positive impact on my community and the betterment of550others. I have dedicated significant amounts of my time to551philanthropy, serving on the boards of various organizations,552from my university alma mater, to prostate cancer research, to553pro-Israel advocacy, to Jewish education. Through business and554philanthropic work, I have been fortunate to travel to dozens555of countries and sit across the table from heads of state,556ministers, diplomats, and business leaders. Those experiences557have given me a deep appreciation for the power of American558energy and the men and women who produce it to shape our future559at home and to build peace and prosperity abroad. I560wholeheartedly embrace this administration's energy dominance561agenda. If confirmed, I look forward to sharing this vision562around the world. I believe our abundant energy resources are563not only an engine of economic growth, but a strategic tool in564American diplomacy.565    Thank you very much for your time today. I look forward to566your questions.567    [The prepared statement of Mr. Eisner follows:]568    [GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]569570    The Chairman. Thank you, Mr. Eisner.571    Mr. Walsh.572573STATEMENT OF TIMOTHY WALSH, NOMINATED TO BE ASSISTANT SECRETARY574  OF ENERGY FOR ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT, DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY575576    Mr. Walsh. Thank you. Chairman Lee, Ranking Member577Heinrich, and distinguished members of the Senate Energy and578Natural Resources Committee, I am honored to appear before you579as President Trump's nominee to be the next Assistant Secretary580of Environmental Management at the U.S. Department of Energy. I581am grateful to President Trump for this nomination, and I seek582to earn your trust and support today as well. This role holds583significant responsibilities, and I will bring my extensive584leadership and management expertise to the world's largest585environmental cleanup program.586    Before I begin, I would like to thank the most important587person in my life, Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior, for the588many blessings he has bestowed upon me. My amazing wife, Lisa,589and two awesome children, Alex and Natalie, are here today.590When Lisa and I married 35 years ago, I was stationed at Fort591Bragg, North Carolina, where I was a company commander in the59282nd Airborne Division. Shortly after being married, with 18-593hours' notice, my unit was combat-deployed for Operation Desert594Shield. As Senator McCormick mentioned, back then he was First595Lieutenant McCormick. He was my XO. But little did I know that596I would spend most of my first year of my marriage with Dave597instead of my wife. I used to call him my roommate, tentmate,598but anyways, and I am sure Lisa had no idea that as the CO's599wife, her first year of marriage, as a 27-year-old, would be600spent taking care of my soldiers' spouses and family members.601Sacrifices are made, but love endures.602    If confirmed, it will be an honor for me to serve the603people of this great nation as the leader of Environmental604Management at the U.S. Department of Energy. My love for the605United States and passion to serve stems from growing up606overseas and realizing the exceptionalism of America. My dad607was a decorated Army soldier who fought in World War II, Korea,608and Vietnam. In the mid-1950s, he met my mom, who had escaped609from Soviet East Germany. I am the youngest of five kids, and610grew accustomed to the adventure of moving every couple of611years, mostly in Europe and the Middle East. I have always had612an intellectual curiosity of science and building. This drew me613to West Point, where I studied civil and mechanical614engineering. After graduation and Ranger School, I led combat615engineers in Germany and built construction projects in Turkey616during the Reagan Cold War buildup.617    After the Army, with a master's degree from Stanford618University, I began a career in the construction industry,619building complex, advanced technology facilities for the620semiconductor industry--aka chip plants--and other industries.621Realizing there is a better way to deliver construction622projects more efficiently, faster, and cheaper, I created623Confluence Builders as a vertically integrated real estate624development company. I am proud of my company's many625accomplishments to build over $2.5 billion of landmark real626estate developments.627    I recognize the significance of Environmental Management's628mission, and the responsibility of addressing the legacies of629the Manhattan Project and Cold War nuclear weapons development630is enormous. Living only 16 miles south of the Rocky Flats in631Golden, Colorado, I understand the impact these sites have on a632community. Safe, efficient, and effective cleanup is critical.633Rocky Flats, however, demonstrates what the Environmental634Management program can achieve to safely and successfully635accomplish its cleanup mission. The Manhattan Project's rapid636development helped end World War II, and subsequent nuclear637research contributed to preventing further use of nuclear638weapons. It is now our duty to address legacy waste and ensure639a safe, secure, and clean environment for all Americans. I640appreciate the program is also focused on new missions,641including President Trump's and Secretary Wright's goal of642creating space for the Golden Era of American Energy.643    My strengths are being a strong leader, building cohesive644teams, and achieving complex goals. If confirmed, I would bring645to Environmental Management strategic focus, planning for the646entire environmental mission to ensure the most pressing risks647receive maximum attention, and decisive decision-making and648disciplined project management to ensure accountability and649results are achieved. Finally, I will bring my collaborative650spirit and approach to work with all stakeholders, including651Congress, local communities, and the tribal nations. I am652honored for this opportunity, and if confirmed, I would be653grateful for the opportunity to lead the Environmental654Management team to drive down environmental risks and enable655U.S. jobs, U.S. security, and U.S. energy.656    [The prepared statement of Mr. Walsh follows:]657    [GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]658659    The Chairman. Thank you, Mr. Walsh.660    Ms. Robertson.661662   STATEMENT OF AUDREY ROBERTSON, NOMINATED TO BE ASSISTANT663SECRETARY OF ENERGY FOR ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND RENEWABLE ENERGY,664                      DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY665666    Ms. Robertson. Chairman Lee, Ranking Member Heinrich, and667distinguished members of the Senate Energy and Natural668Resources Committee, I am honored to appear before you as669President Trump's nominee to be the next Assistant Secretary of670Energy for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. First, I671would like to thank President Trump for his steadfast672leadership during this pivotal time in America and for the673trust and confidence placed in me with his nomination. This674office plays a critical role in the Department of Energy and675the tools we will develop as a nation to meet today and676tomorrow's energy demands. President Trump's nomination deeply677humbles me, and if I have the honor of being confirmed, serving678our country and leading this office will be the greatest honor679of my life.680    I first want to thank my parents, Dr. Scott and Dr. Karen681Robertson, and my brother, Andrew Robertson, for being here682today and always believing in me. I also want to thank my683incredible fiance, retired Green Beret and Silver Star684recipient, Nathan Buelow, as well as some of my closest friends685and partners who are here from all over the country. And686lastly, I want to thank my sons, William and Wyatt. Only687William can be here today. Wyatt is backpacking through the688Great Rocky Mountains and has no idea this hearing is taking689place. He will have to watch it later.690    I have lived a life that is only possible in the United691States of America. I grew up in Arizona. I went on to earn a692bachelor of science in applied economics from Cornell693University, followed by a master's degree in accounting from694the University of Southern California. My early career in the695corporate world was foundational to my knowledge of energy696systems, energy infrastructure, and the complex role of697companies, markets, banks and governments in the production and698distribution of energy. Over time, I developed my own ideas699about energy and how it could be produced more efficiently and700with less risk. About 10 years ago, I left the comfort of my701corporate job for an unpredictable life as an entrepreneur.702Several businesses and partnerships followed. One such business703I started in 2018 when I co-founded an oil and gas company. As704a single mom raising two young boys in suburban Denver, I was705not a stereotypical oil and gas entrepreneur. However,706successfully producing energy has nothing to do with707stereotypes. Energy is about numbers and science, two areas708where I am very comfortable. To me, the numbers added up and709the science was sound. This was a risk worth taking, and I710risked everything. We grew this business from non-producing711leases in beautiful Southeast New Mexico into one of the712largest private oil companies in America. I am proud of the713safe and reliable energy we produced and the hundreds of great714Americans who worked hard alongside us as we developed not only715oil and gas resources in New Mexico, but we built roads,716pipelines, and even a microgrid.717    This was not my only entrepreneurial energy endeavor. In my718home State of Colorado, I partnered with a vertically719integrated operator of utility-scale solar to transform an720agricultural property outside of Fort Collins into the largest721utility-scale solar facility in the state. This 250-megawatt722project will provide power to tens of thousands of homes in723northern Colorado. As an investor and board member, I have724dedicated time and resources to numerous next-generation energy725technologies, including small modular nuclear, next-generation726geothermal, and advanced sodium-ion batteries. Advancing727technologies like these will be critical to meeting our728nation's growing power demands. President Trump has made it729clear that we must--and I believe we will--unleash American730energy to protect our nation and its future. But energy is a731complex subject, and I believe it is not only inaccurate, but732incredibly disingenuous to apply labels like ``Clean Energy''733and ``Dirty Energy.'' There is only energy, and every source734and form of energy has trade-offs. I support all forms of735reliable, affordable, and secure energy.736    If I am so fortunate to be confirmed, I will provide steady737leadership to this office and make science-based, common-sense738decisions that will benefit all Americans. If confirmed, it739will be a privilege to work closely with our national labs,740especially the National Renewable Energy Lab in my home State741of Colorado. I am a newcomer to Washington and a novice to742politics. If confirmed, I also ask for a close partnership with743this Committee as we work towards an energy-abundant America.744    Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward745to your questions.746    [The prepared statement of Ms. Robertson follows:]747    [GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]748749    The Chairman. Mr. Erdos.750751STATEMENT OF HON. LANNY ERDOS, NOMINATED TO BE THE DIRECTOR OF752   THE OFFICE OF SURFACE MINING RECLAMATION AND ENFORCEMENT,753                   DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR754755    Mr. Erdos. Chairman Lee, Ranking Member Heinrich, and756members of the Committee, thank you for the opportunity to757appear before you today as President Trump's nominee for the758position of Director of the Office of Surface Mining759Reclamation and Enforcement, or OSM. I would like to thank760President Trump and Secretary Burgum for their confidence in761me. I am excited to be here today to share with you my vision762for OSM. I appreciate the opportunity to provide insight into763my background, give you an idea about where I come from, and764provide a snapshot into my professional career in the public765and private sectors.766    If confirmed, my nearly 35 years of experience in public767service at the Department of the Interior and the Ohio768Department of Natural Resources (Ohio DNR) have prepared me769well for the position of Director at OSM. Additionally, my770recent time spent in the private sector as an environmental and771reclamation manager has given me a unique 360-degree772perspective of the challenges facing the coal industry. As a773former Director at OSM, I have working knowledge and specific774experience in every aspect of OSM's mission, and as a former775Chief at the Ohio DNR, where I represented Ohio on the776Interstate Mining Compact Commission for more than a decade, I777developed both state and federal relationships across the778country that have proven beneficial throughout my career.779    Most recently, I have worked in the mining industry as780President and Vice President for two reclamation companies and781also Vice President for environmental compliance for all the782associated companies. I am responsible for reclamation and783remediation of mining permits in Kentucky, Virginia, West784Virgina, and Alabama. At Cardinal Reclamation, one of the785reclamation companies that I manage, we have made significant786reclamation and remediation progress over the past five years.787In Kentucky, Cardinal stepped up to the plate to assist the788people of the Commonwealth when permits, affected by another789permittee, were not properly reclaimed. Today, many of those790permits (60-plus) have been fully reclaimed and returned to a791productive post-mining land use.792    As a former Director at OSM, we made important inroads in793improving relationships with the states, the tribes (where OSM794is the primary regulator), and the mining industry. Those795relationships were strained under the previous administration.796I will work to establish a collaborative and mutually797beneficial relationship that recognizes the important role that798the states play relative to regulation within their borders and799just as importantly recognizes the importance of the energy800that is provided by our coal industry. At the Ohio DNR, I began801my career as an environmental technician. I was soon promoted802to Reclamation Inspector, where for seven years I was803responsible for inspections associated with coal and industrial804mineral mining. I later transferred to the abandoned mine land805program, or AML, as a design specialist. Working under the806supervision of a registered professional engineer, I designed807AML remediation projects, such as highwall backfills, surface808subsidence caused by pre-law underground mining, coal refuse809reclamation projects, and stream restoration, to name just a810few. I was also a Permitting Manager, where my responsibilities811included oversight of all coal and industrial mineral mining812applications.813    Later, I was promoted to Deputy Chief responsible for814managing the state's coal, industrial minerals, and mine safety815programs. My responsibilities included statewide management of816nearly a thousand permits, and the protection, training, and817certification of the state's mining workforce. Three years818later, I was promoted to Chief. I maintained my Deputy Chief819responsibilities and assumed management of the AML program. As820Chief, I worked with federal partners, such as the U.S.821Environmental Protection Agency, the Office of Surface Mining,822the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the Mine Safety and823Health Administration, to name just a few.824    From a personal perspective, I come from a very strong-825willed, blue-collar background where family comes first. From a826very young age, my mother and father instilled in my brother,827sister, and me the lesson that hard work is important. They led828by example and taught us this lesson through their own hard829work. My father worked for nearly 30 years in an underground830coal mine. And although it was an incredibly difficult job, he831enjoyed it, as well as the life it provided his family. My832mother worked as a cook at the local school and later worked in833the county court system. They both worked hard to support their834family, and seeing that day after day stuck with me.835    My wife, Rhonda, of 37 years, and I have tried to instill836much of the same in our children, Courtney and Jordan. I have837tremendous respect for the men and the women who mine the coal838that helps to supply the country's energy needs. An energy need839that will only continue to grow in the coming years. But I also840understand the need to protect our land and water. Striking841that environmental balance, as I have tried to do throughout my842career, ensures the protection of our natural resources while843also recognizing the ever-increasing energy consumption of the844country. If confirmed, it would be an honor to serve the845citizens of this great country as Director of the Office of846Surface Mining.847    Thank you for today's opportunity. I look forward to848answering your questions.849    [The prepared statement of Mr. Erdos follows:]850    [GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]851852    The Chairman. Thank you very much.853    We will now proceed to five-minute rounds of questions. I854will ask the first round, followed by Senator Heinrich, and855then we will alternate between Republicans and Democrats after856that in just a moment.857    All right, Mr. Erdos, I would like to start with you, if858that is all right.859    Last time you were before this Committee, and that was860regarding your nomination to be the Director of the Office of861Surface Mining Reclamation Enforcement, I asked you about862permitting deadlines for coal mines. And at that point--this863was in 2019--you said you were looking to reduce the timelines864for permitting from six to ten years down to two or less years.865This would be a really welcome set of news if we could do that,866including and especially for mines in Utah, some of which have867spent literally decades in a sort of permitting purgatory868process. So why is certainty, in your opinion, so important869when it comes to the permitting process, especially for mines870and for miners?871    Mr. Erdos. Well, certainly, predictability is something the872industry has to have. They have to know how to get from Point A873to Point B. And permitting has been an issue. So I think we are874talking about NEPA reviews on coal--on federal coal--and that's875what I was referring to back in 2019. So I think, obviously,876progress has been made over the last two to three months. Two877or three have been--OSM has approved the EIS and record of878decision. So the short answer is predictability. The industry879needs predictability, and the way you get that is--the way you880achieve that is by having a permitting system that functions881for everyone--it functions for the states, it functions for the882Federal Government, and for the operator.883    The Chairman. Thank you.884    Mr. Walsh, the Department of Energy currently holds about88530 metric tons of defense plutonium that it plans to dilute and886then dispose of at the WIPP facility in New Mexico. This887strategy is projected to take over 30 years and to cost about888$20 billion. Now, think about it, we are spending $20 billion889to dispose of this valuable asset that was produced at taxpayer890expense. I don't know what the exact figures are, but I am891willing to guess that in present day dollars it costs tens of892billions of dollars to create it.893    One of President Trump's recent executive orders directs894the Department to end the dilute and dispose strategy and895establish a program to process the plutonium into a form that896can be fabricated into fuel for advanced nuclear reactors. This897would allow the plutonium to be used as a resource to advance898nuclear technology leadership in the world, while still899accomplishing our non-proliferation objectives, which I think900were part of what they had in mind when they started this901program. Do you agree that the surplus plutonium should be used902to support the commercial nuclear industry? And if confirmed,903will you work with the Secretary and with NNSA to end the904dilute and dispose program and carry out President Trump's905executive order?906    Mr. Walsh. Yes, I will. As I understand it, plutonium can907be mixed with other materials so that it isn't--essentially, to908proliferation proof it, and as you know, to fuel the future of909AI so America can be a leader with the data centers located910here, we need energy from every source. And small modular911reactors and all nuclear reactors, for that matter, their912limiting factor right now is fuel--enriched uranium--which913we're not doing here in the United States, and I think it ends914in 2028. So we need to bring all dense energy sources like915plutonium, and I believe NNSA is also working on a program916right now where we can use that.917    The Chairman. Thank you.918    Mr. Eisner, the past administration relied on the919Department of Energy's International Affairs Office to broker920deals on climate cooperation in the development of more921expensive and unreliable energy resources. If confirmed, how do922you plan to reorient the office to focus on American energy923dominance and energy security for our allies?924    Mr. Eisner. Mr. Chairman, as I stated in my opening925remarks, it was an honor for me to serve at the U.S. Department926of the Treasury in the previous Trump administration. In that927role, I had the honor to work with several career federal928employees, two of whom are here with me today. Two things that929I think really marked my experience with these individuals was930their patriotism and their respect that elections have931consequences. Despite what I was sure was a very wide range of932political views among those whom I worked with, we operated933under a very basic understanding that the work that we were934doing was not red and it was not blue. It was red, white, and935blue. And we used that approach to motivate the people who936worked with me, because at the end of the day, it really does937come down to leadership. We were able to effectuate the938policies and the programs of the previous Trump administration939without flaw, I would say.940    The Chairman. Thank you.941    And finally, Ms. Robertson, as geothermal technology has942continued to advance, energy analysts have become increasingly943bullish and appropriately very excited about its viability to944supply sustained power. As I am sure you are aware, I945introduced bipartisan legislation with Ranking Member Heinrich946to accelerate the adoption of geothermal technology. I included947provisions of that legislation in the energy title of the One948Big Beautiful Bill, but unfortunately, my Democrat colleagues949used the Byrd Rule to strip those provisions out of that bill,950so those weren't able to make it into law, even though they951could have under that circumstance. Nonetheless, given the952circumstances, we must to continue to focus on finding ways to953develop this energy resource.954    Will you commit, if confirmed, to assisting the Secretary955to ensure that product classes are used to protect features--956I'm sorry, I have blended two different questions there. What957can you tell us about the importance of geothermal energy, and958what can we do from a legal and regulatory standpoint to help959advance that technology?960    Ms. Robertson. Thank you, Chairman Lee, for that question.961    Geothermal is undoubtedly one of the most exciting962resources that can create stable, baseload power in this963country between--the three geothermal powerhouses are right in964front of me, with Utah, Nevada, and New Mexico really leading965the way. Geothermal is so exciting and rightly a focus of both966Secretary Wright and President Trump because, unlike many other967non fossil-based energy sources, geothermal has the potential968to provide stable, baseload power, which, as we look at the969power demands in the United States over the next five, ten, and970twenty years, we are in a situation we haven't been in as a971country before. We have had relatively stable electricity972demand over the years, relatively stable and increasing,973obviously, power demand, but with the development of974supercomputers and AI, we need to drastically, significantly975ramp-up our baseload power, and geothermal provides one of the976most exciting avenues to do that.977    I am sure Senator Heinrich is very familiar with the XGS978Energy and Meta project in New Mexico that was announced. This979is new geothermal technology. That particular project's pipe-980in-pipe technology that is free from using additional water in981the process, you know, programs like those and many of the982others being developed at national labs across the country are983going to be a more sustainable solution to step function984changes in how we deliver power.985    The Chairman. Great. Thank you very much.986    Senator Heinrich.987    Senator Heinrich. Thank you, Chairman.988    I want to start just by addressing something you said, Mr.989Walsh, and this is not to quibble with you, but I want to point990out that in New Mexico we actually produce enriched uranium,991and it supplies roughly 25 to 30 percent of the demand in the992country. I think that is a good example of what we should be993expanding around the country in order to meet additional994demand.995    I am going to start my questions with you, Ms. Robertson,996and I was glad to hear your description of some of the solar997projects that you executed in Colorado. I have been looking998closely at NERC's 2025 Summer Reliability Assessment in Texas.999Texas added seven gigawatts of solar power in 2024--nearly1000seven and a half gigawatts of battery storage in 2024 alone--1001which is helping the state meet growing electricity demand from1002AI and data centers and some of the things that you have1003articulated. As a result of those additional capacities, the1004risk of power emergencies has dropped to just three percent now1005as opposed to 15 percent a little over a year ago.1006    So Ms. Robertson, do you agree that in the face of rising1007demand, that the grid requires more, not less affordable,1008reliable, energy?1009    Ms. Robertson. Oh, undoubtedly, the grid demands, and we1010need to deliver more reliable, affordable, secure energy. Are1011you specifically asking about best systems or solar systems?1012    Senator Heinrich. So looking at Texas, would you agree that1013deploying both energy storage in tandem with renewable energy1014technologies can actually increase grid reliability, hold1015prices down, and add new generation sources?1016    Ms. Robertson. It certainly has the capability to do that.1017Texas still relies primarily on natural gas as its baseload1018power, and that has to be the baseload and the maximum, because1019solar plus batteries can provide a number of benefits, both as1020a large scale and a small scale, but we have yet to see the1021five- to ten-year implications of these large battery systems,1022which, unfortunately, or ironically, the environments that are1023wonderful for solar, like Texas, are not great for batteries.1024And so, battery degradation and the lifetime of a utility-scale1025battery is something that is going to be a further effort of my1026Department, if I am so fortunate to be confirmed. But those1027technologies have yet to play out.1028    Senator Heinrich. I would beg to differ. In New Mexico, we1029were an early adopter of grid-scale storage. At this point in1030my personal grid in the Albuquerque area, we're not only 351031percent solar, seven percent nuclear, 15 percent wind, but1032using 15 percent battery storage. We have been able for a1033number of years now to maintain a high level of reliability--1034and not just a high level of reliability, but a low retail1035cost, which is the other thing that American consumers care1036about. I pay about 10.8 cents. Now, I rarely pay that because I1037have solar on my roof at a scale that I don't get an electric1038bill most months, but when I do, I pay 10.8 cents, which is, if1039you look at the country as a whole, much lower than what you1040see in the Midwest and the East.1041    Mr. Walsh, the Waste Isolation Pilot Project (WIPP) in New1042Mexico is the sole, as you know, only geological repository1043licensed to store transuranic radioactive waste. It is one of1044three globally. We are currently working to refurbish and1045repair parts of the lift system that is used to bring up mined1046salt out of the ground. Two other lifts, one used for1047transporting TRU waste, the other used for emergency purposes,1048are in need of repair and replacement.1049    So talk to me a little bit. I know you are familiar with1050that facility. It is our only facility that serves this1051purpose. Describe to the Committee your commitment to1052overseeing the swift construction and rehabilitation of the1053elevator systems at the WIPP facility.1054    Mr. Walsh. Yes, thank you, Senator Heinrich, for that1055question.1056    I am very familiar with the WIPP and its importance to1057Environmental Management's cleanup across the DOE's complex.1058And as you mentioned, the lift system, I think, dates back to1059the early 1900s. It came from a mine in Colorado. So, it's1060absolutely in need of repair, and I would be happy to look into1061that. As you know, I am not confirmed yet, so I haven't looked1062at the details of the current budget, but I will ensure,1063because it is such an important facility to our mission, that1064we will make sure we have a serviceable lift system.1065    Senator Heinrich. I look forward to following up with you,1066Mr. Walsh.1067    Mr. Walsh. Thank you.1068    Senator Heinrich. Yes.1069    The Chairman. Senator Justice, you are up next.1070    Senator Justice. Thank you, Mr. Chairman and Ranking1071Member. Thank all of you all for coming. I mean, really and1072truly, when it really boils right down to it, you are great1073witnesses, you are great nominees, and really and truly, I am1074anxious to be able to see you confirmed because I know you'll1075do fabulous work. That's all there is to it.1076    I welcome your families. I am extremely impressed with just1077this--your acknowledgement of God in your life. I mean, it is1078absolutely just what we should all be doing, in my opinion, all1079the time because the blessings are unbelievable. You know, we1080see the tragedies all across our nation. We see what's going on1081in Texas right now, and it just jerks your heart out. I mean,1082that's just all there is to it. But, and please, God above,1083some way, somehow, you know, look after those folks.1084    But I would just tell you just this--you know, I am, for1085all practical purposes, the new kid in town, but I have been an1086energy kid for a long, long, long time. And really and truly,1087it is an honor beyond belief to be on this Committee. And why1088would you think that? I mean, really and truly, I have tons to1089do in my life, and why would that be such an unbelievable honor1090for me? And it's simply just this--I have said this until I am1091blue-green--energy is everything. Energy is everything. It's in1092every part of every single thing that we do. And our country1093today needs you like you can't imagine. Every single last bit1094of you, we need you.1095    And so, you know, when I was the Governor, I was the1096Governor of West Virginia and I had the honor to be that for1097eight years. And I embraced all the energy forms because I knew1098what was coming. Right around the corner here we are going to1099have a meltdown on energy in this country. And if we don't1100watch out, we are going to be in a real mess. And then, we are1101going to have to make decisions. We are going to need to decide1102where we can have that, but we can't have this. And America1103doesn't normally do that. And if we can't have this, we are1104going to be at a real disadvantage that could be a national1105defense disadvantage or whatever it may be.1106    Now, the only other tidbit I would say about embracing all1107is, let's just have a fair playing field. I mean, for God's1108sakes-a-livin', let's not give one form, you know, so many1109benefits and perks and everything and take away from another.1110And please, to God above, let's quit thinking of coal as a bad1111word. Our coal miners work so hard. And Mr. Erdos, you know,1112just talked about his dad--30 years in the coal mines and1113everything in an underground mine. Right at this moment, right1114this very second, there are people that are thousands and1115thousands of feet underground in coal seams where they cannot1116hardly sit up, and in no way they could stand up. They may be1117in 40 inches of coal, thousands of feet underground, for all of1118us, for absolutely all of us. They're good people. They're1119family people. We need them. My good Lord above, we need them1120today.1121    So, let's quit thinking and blowing our own legs off and1122letting the world on some righteous movement, you know, that we1123are going to blow our own legs off and have China build a coal-1124fired power plant every other day. It's ridiculous. It's1125totally ridiculous. I would tell all of you just this: we are1126so lucky to have you. Your experience is off the chart. Your1127service is off the chart, and I am very, very anxious to work1128with you in every way.1129    I really only have one question, and it came to me from the1130Coal Association, and so this is for Mr. Erdos. And I wish you1131would call me Jim. I would like to call all of you by your1132first names, Lanny, or whatever it may be. And so, but with all1133that being said, the question was just this: In West Virginia--1134this is from the Coal Association and Chris, this is from Chris1135Hamilton. He's a good guy and he is asking this question and he1136wanted me to ask it.1137    In West Virginia--West Virginia has nine program amendments1138pending approval at OSM today. The oldest is 16 years old. And1139in most of these cases, the state rules, we have complied1140exactly with the language of the Office of Surface Mining. So1141my question is real quick. Will you just look? Will you just1142try to help and look, because we need you?1143    Mr. Erdos. Thank you for the question, Senator. Yes,1144absolutely, I will. Program amendments are a problem. It has1145been a problem for 10 to 15 years at OSM. And I know Chris1146very, very well. And I am familiar with some of those program1147amendments. So one of the things we will do, if I am fortunate1148enough to get confirmed, I will be briefed by staff, day one,1149relative to program amendments. It's important to me too. Ohio1150has one probably 12 years old that has been sitting there.1151    So there are things that we need to do at OSM to fix that,1152and it can be fixed, and we were working on that under the1153previous administration, the Trump administration, when I was1154there. So we will do those things and we will get that backlog1155down. And I absolutely will look at those.1156    Senator Justice. Thank you. And I'm sorry that you have to1157put up with Chris.1158    Mr. Erdos. He is a great guy. Like you said, he is a great1159guy.1160    [Laughter.]1161    Senator Justice. Thank you all. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.1162    The Chairman. Senator Hickenlooper.1163    Senator Hickenlooper. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Thanks to each1164of you for being here at a really challenging time for energy1165in our country.1166    Ms. Robertson, let me just say that I always appreciate1167people with a strong athletic background, but if you can be1168that good in water polo, that has to be a remarkable testament1169to your endurance and your ability to put up with all this1170rigmarole, but you are going into a really tough position, if1171confirmed. I know NREL, Colorado's renewable energy lab, is1172truly a world-class hub of reliable energy and innovation. It's1173a major employer in Colorado, but it adds real value, yet the1174President's budget appears to want to cut over half the staff,1175and there is some shifting of funds that, to some, appears1176unlawful. I have a lawyer in our office that feels that it is1177unlawful. I think there are a lot of lawyers that are looking1178at that. It doesn't appear to me that you can just reassign1179experts and fill in the gaps.1180    So I guess my first question is, are you willing to commit1181to preventing, to the best of your capability, significant1182staff cuts at NREL and to really make sure we maintain those1183research capabilities?1184    Ms. Robertson. Senator Hickenlooper, thank you for the1185question, and I agree with you that NREL is an extraordinary1186hub of innovation and that the best tools we are going to have1187to make a stronger, better, more energized America are going to1188come through innovation. It's not just going to come from, you1189know, additional subsidies. It's going to come from big,1190innovative changes to the way we do things and the way we1191create energy. You asked a few specific questions, and let me1192try and answer them. I have not been in the Department of1193Energy. I am still living in Colorado and riding horses with my1194kids and hanging out for the summer, and at the point where I1195hopefully am confirmed, I look forward to being briefed on a1196number of the matters that you brought up regarding the budget,1197but I am not informed at this point in time or in a position1198where I can comment on that. I will tell you that I always1199follow the law, and I intend to follow the law, the advice of1200counsel, and if I am so fortunate to be confirmed, hold this1201office with the dignity that it deserves, and from a legal1202perspective, always do the right thing.1203    As it relates to staff cuts at EERE or NREL, you are a1204business owner, you have been a business owner, and a mayor and1205a Governor, and thank you for that. I can't comment until I get1206in to see what the situation is, but I can commit to be an1207advocate for the great men and women working across the1208Department of Energy in the areas where I will have1209responsibility, if confirmed, especially at NREL, where we have1210some of the best scientists in the world working to solve the1211world's biggest problems.1212    Senator Hickenlooper. Well, I couldn't agree more, and I1213appreciate that. Well spoken. I will just put in there, I mean,1214we are going to see this massive surge in demand that I think1215each of you have recognized and described, and it's hard to1216imagine bringing online more natural gas, more coal, more1217almost anything in the short term in the next five years, and1218yet we do have a huge inventory of solar, but electricity can1219be generated from wind and solar, increasingly geothermal, as1220you have all recognized. I think 95 percent of all the projects1221in the queue are either, you know, solar, wind, or storage. And1222I would like to ask each of you just to, because you each--1223well, maybe not the mining reclamation, I will pass on that.1224Although, I am--I will not have time to ask questions on the1225mining. I will come back for a second round of questions on1226that and get to that.1227    But 95 percent of the energy that's available is solar,1228wind, and batteries. Do you think we should prioritize that and1229really push that through? And I am going to start with Ms.1230Robertson.1231    Ms. Robertson. Senator Hickenlooper, thank you for the1232question, and it is the question. I mean, a large-scale data1233center consumes the same amount of electricity as two million1234homes. And we will have to produce a lot of electrons in order1235to meet that demand. But the question of how do we prioritize1236it? We have to prioritize reliable, secure, and affordable1237power in that equation. I think you mentioned NREL earlier,1238grid modernization, new technologies to help reduce the loss of1239electricity within the process. I do believe we will be able to1240bring online very successful, innovative energy sources, like1241geothermal, hopefully small modular nuclear, in a much shorter1242period of time than previously envisioned, even 12 months ago.1243    Senator Hickenlooper. Right, well, I am out of time, but in1244the meantime, we are going to have some real pressure on us for1245these five years before we get to the small nuclear and being1246able to scale up some of those other things. And I think, you1247know, the budget that has been put out there is cutting the1248Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy 62 percent1249below 2019 levels. So long before President Biden was in1250office, that budget was much more robust than it is now. So,1251you are probably going to have to elbow your way in to some1252making sure that those funds are not all eliminated because you1253are going to need some of that money, I think.1254    I yield back to the Chair.1255    The Chairman. Great, thank you.1256    All right, let's go ahead and begin our second round.1257    Mr. Erdos, I would like to start the second round with you.1258You know, you began your career as an environmental technician1259reviewing mine data and maps for accuracy. Since then, you have1260had years of experience working with environmental agencies and1261related stakeholders, as well as on abandoned mine lands1262(AML)--I am always cautious when I say mine lands to not say1263land mines because it turns out they mean very different1264things--reclamation efforts, and funding disbursement. How does1265the coal industry contribute to AML funding and remediation1266efforts?1267    Mr. Erdos. Well, there are two streams of funds that go1268into AML. One is fee-based. It's how the industry contributes.1269So currently, I believe it's 22.4 cents for surface coal that's1270not lignite, 9.6 cents for underground coal not lignite, and I1271want to say 6.4 cents for lignite coal. So it's based on1272tonnage produced, and they pay that fee on that tonnage. It1273goes into that particular pool of money for the AML program.1274And then you have the IIJA, which is a whole different issue.1275So you have those two streams.1276    The Chairman. Thank you.1277    Ms. Robertson, let's talk about appliance regulations.1278There are a series of regulations that are implemented and1279enforced by the Department of Energy's Office of Energy1280Efficiency and Renewable Energy. Some of these regulations, one1281might say, impose pretty costly burdens on all Americans and1282they certainly reduce market choices. Some would say that in1283many instances they have, in the name of efficiency, just1284produced products that don't work as well and that end up1285having to be used two or three cycles at a time instead of one,1286perhaps resulting in no net energy savings at all, but making1287appliances less reliable, harder to use, more expensive, and1288more difficult to repair, and they affect almost all appliances1289in American homes, from refrigerators, dishwashers, clothes1290washers, clothes dryers. Now, the process rule and its product1291class protections, which allow for separate regulations for1292different product features, were overwhelmingly ignored by the1293previous administration, and this has stopped the development1294of helpful features on appliances and essentially killed1295certain appliances or household goods, like the incandescent1296lightbulb, which itself is a different thing. Sure, we have1297other types of lightbulbs available, but for the most part, you1298can't get incandescent lightbulbs anymore, and that is a1299different product, and sometimes you need those.1300    And so, this is somewhat concerning. Will you commit, if1301confirmed, to assisting the Secretary to ensure that product1302classes are used to protect features on appliances that are1303important to American consumers?1304    Ms. Robertson. Chairman Lee, thank you for that important1305question. And absolutely, I think I am here--and I believe my1306panelists here alongside me--we are here because we love1307America and we love Americans, and putting burdensome, costly1308regulations in place that don't have a net benefit to1309individual Americans can price people out of the American1310dream, depending on appliances, building standards. It's an1311area within the EERE that I am very much looking forward to1312working with, and I look forward to working with you and your1313staff on any specific issues or things that we should be1314advancing.1315    The Chairman. Thank you.1316    Mr. Erdos, let's go back to you for a moment. Can you speak1317to the relationship between states with primacy under SMCRA and1318OSM?1319    Mr. Erdos. Thank you for the question, Senator. Certainly.1320So there are 24 states that currently have primacy, or they1321have approved state programs. They are the primary regulators1322within their borders. OSM is an oversight program relative to1323those states. OSM is the primary regulator on Indian tribes,1324and there are a few others where OSM has a federal program, but1325only one actually produces coal, and that is Tennessee. The1326primacy states, within their borders, they are the primary1327regulators. OSM is an oversight program. It's a partnership,1328really, but deference should be given to the states, and it is1329given to the states.1330    The Chairman. Do you think the 10-day notice rule overwrote1331the authority of the state mining offices?1332    Mr. Erdos. Somewhat, it did. The 2020 and the 2024 rules1333were significantly different. So the 2020 rule required OSM to1334work with the states. So if they received a citizen complaint,1335they were required to coordinate with the state prior to acting1336on that citizen complaint, which makes a lot of sense. I am a1337state guy. I come from a state, I worked there for 31 years,1338and I was on the other end of those 10-day notices. So it makes1339sense for OSM to work with the state and gather as much1340information as they can prior to acting on that. So the 20241341rule took that away, which is pretty significant to me.1342    So to answer your question, I think, to some extent, it1343did.1344    The Chairman. Thank you.1345    Senator Murkowski, you are up to bat.1346    Senator Murkowski. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.1347    Thank you for your willingness to step forward in these1348important positions. We appreciate that.1349    Ms. Robertson, I wanted to ask a question of you first1350here. I come from a state where, when we say all-of-the-above1351energy policy, we really mean it, not because it's a good1352catchword, but because we are islanded. This huge state, our1353energy system is all islanded in the sense that we have very1354little when it comes to the grid beyond the Railbelt there. So1355people think about Alaska as oil and gas. It's great. It's1356important. Significant for us. It's important for the country1357and the world. But we can't do it without also tapping into1358those resources that happen to be right there where that1359community is. And so, that means a little bit of solar. It1360means a little bit of wind. It means maybe we can really do1361something bold like geothermal.1362    And so, the position that you are nominated to as Assistant1363Secretary of Energy for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy1364is important. I have communities that are reliant right now on1365diesel-powered generation. That's how they stay warm. That's1366how they keep the lights on. And so, when the barge doesn't1367make it in, or when the price of fuel goes through the roof, it1368squeezes everything else that these individuals have available1369to them for their families.1370    And so, I look at some of the things that we are doing here1371to help facilitate some of these smaller microgrid solutions as1372vitally, vitally important. We had a debate, certainly, before1373the Senate last week when it came to certain of the tax credits1374for our solar and wind projects. We negotiated a little bit1375longer runway for wind and solar tax credits in reconciliation.1376It wasn't much, but it's going to help allow for the1377facilitation of a couple of projects--maybe a good handful of1378projects to proceed--and then, we just see at the beginning of1379this week an executive order coming out of the White House1380that, as I read it, really, really guts the effort for a1381compromise that we were able to secure within that1382reconciliation bill. So, I don't really like it. I will just be1383blunt. I don't really like it at all. And I don't like it1384because, not only does it undercut the arrangement that we were1385able to work, but also because it leaves these communities that1386I represent with no solution other than barging in or flying in1387more diesel to keep the lights on and to keep them warm.1388    So I acknowledge and appreciate the role that the Office of1389EERE has played in really being this partner to promote energy1390security for rural communities that experience limited access1391to these alternate baseload energy resources. So I just need1392your commitment that you will work with us to understand what1393the local solutions are and help to facilitate them, because1394what happens back here in Washington, DC isn't going to1395translate to these rural communities that I have in my state.1396So can you commit to me that you are going to work with us on1397some of these solutions?1398    Ms. Robertson. Senator Murkowski, first of all, I love1399Alaska. I have spent lots of time in Alaska, and I ardently1400believe that energy in rural communities and in isolated1401communities has many different constraints than the energy we1402are talking about to power a data center in Arlington. And1403energy is everything, and delivering energy to a remote1404community in Alaska may look very different than the energy1405solutions we would work toward in other communities in other1406places in the United States.1407    I have particular experience with this. I have built a1408company in rural New Mexico, and we didn't have any power. We1409did not have access to the power--to Xcel in New Mexico. They1410gave us a three-year wait list, a three-year timeline. So we1411decided that we needed to take matters into our own hands and1412we had novel solutions to treating field gas onsite to using1413our own gas-fired turbines, and we built our own microgrid.1414These were solutions that we needed to come up with because we1415faced a challenge. I understand that the rural communities in1416Alaska face challenges, and I absolutely commit to you to work1417as a partner in figuring out the right energy solution for that1418very unique environment.1419    Senator Murkowski. Well, I appreciate that. I look forward1420to working with you on that, whether it's wind, solar, whether1421it's geothermal. We have had some good engagement with our1422tribal communities on the geothermal side. I am also concerned1423about the President's budget proposal on elimination of the1424weatherization program. Again, whether you are from Alaska,1425where it's cold, or New Mexico, where it's hot, weatherization1426is going to be key for us as well.1427    My time is expired, but I appreciate the opportunity to1428work with you on some of these very important issues and to the1429rest of you as well. We have some good projects, Mr. Eisner, I1430will probably want to talk to you about our Alaska natural gas1431opportunities and Arctic energy as well in the international1432space.1433    Thank you, Mr. Chairman.1434    The Chairman. Thank you.1435    Senator Padilla.1436    Senator Padilla. Thank you, Mr. Chair.1437    Good morning to all of you. I am going to focus my1438questions--surprise, surprise--on EERE. The U.S. Department of1439Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy has1440had a strong connection and collaboration with the State of1441California for many, many years. California prides itself on1442being on the forefront of energy innovation. This partnership1443supports the state's growth to advance new and innovative1444energy technologies, including in areas of research and1445development, demonstration projects, and financial incentives1446as well, particularly in areas like energy efficiency,1447renewable energy sources and biofuels, and the storage1448technologies and capacity it has to accompany some of the newer1449technologies to address concerns about intermittency and1450beyond. So all of these represent key efforts, not just to1451reduce emissions, but ultimately to also lower electricity1452bills and make energy more abundant.1453    With that being established, a question for Ms. Robertson--1454if you are confirmed, will you commit to honoring the1455previously awarded grants and funding that have been already1456acted upon with the State of California?1457    Ms. Robertson. Thank you, Senator Padilla, for the1458question.1459    I am not yet in the office. What I can confirm to you is1460that I will follow the law and the commitments of the U.S.1461Government as is my intention if I am so fortunate to be in1462that role.1463    Senator Padilla. Okay.1464    Ms. Robertson. I do know that the Office of Energy1465Efficiency and Renewable Energy has over 2,000 active projects,1466and that the review of those projects is something Secretary1467Wright has initiated as an ongoing matter, and if I am so1468fortunate to be confirmed sometime this year, I would1469absolutely love to look at those and be happy to work with you1470and your office on those that touch California.1471    Senator Padilla. Okay. So again, just, I prefaced my1472question with if you are confirmed, so I am not getting ahead1473of myself, but again, these are projects that are not under1474review, not recently applied for, these were applications that1475have been reviewed and awarded. I just want to make sure that1476those awards are honored going forward.1477    I will give an example. One of the awards was to help fund1478cutting-edge marine pumped hydroelectric storage systems at the1479Port of Los Angeles. You may be familiar with the Port of Los1480Angeles. The Port of Los Angeles and Long Beach combined1481represent 40 percent of the commerce coming in out of the1482United States in that one port complex alone. Would you be1483supportive of innovative energy technologies like EERE's Water1484Power Technologies Office?1485    Ms. Robertson. Thank you, Senator Padilla. I am very1486excited to learn more and participate in the Water Power1487Technologies Office. I think that is an exciting area of EERE,1488and one I am, if I am so fortunate to be confirmed, I am very1489excited to work in.1490    Senator Padilla. Good. Well, I highlight this one because I1491wasn't physically present for your opening remarks. I did catch1492it from my office. I also have seen your written testimony as1493well, and you are excited, you are committed. I am excited and1494I am committed. But we also have the new challenge of meeting1495these objectives, striving for these goals with a President's1496budget proposal that would cut EERE's resources by more than1497half. So we are going to have to figure out how to square1498those--do more with less.1499    Another award from EERE was a demonstration project in1500California to support new load growth through grid innovations1501and to support the ability of energy providers to right-size1502grid investments for future load growth. As electricity demand1503grows and we seek to meet that demand, both because of our1504growing population as well as our growing economy, this is not1505the time to stop funding grid innovation, but the1506administration, the Trump administration, has been very vocal1507about meeting the projected growth in electricity demand, but1508proposes a 74 percent budget cut to EERE. How do you do that?1509How do you go about that, if you are fortunate enough to be1510confirmed?1511    Ms. Robertson. I think it's a matter of austerity across1512the Federal Government and having to do more with less. I don't1513think that changes the President's bold agenda for energy and1514grid enhancements. Grid innovation is a component of President1515Trump's vision of how we create a more secure America. We have1516a very fragile grid, and it's not just within EERE that issues1517of the grid are tackled and are challenged, it is across our1518national labs. It is in the Office of Electricity in the Grid1519Deployment Office. There are multiple touchpoints within the1520Department that, if I am fortunate enough to be confirmed and1521be in the building, I look forward to a lot of cross-1522collaboration to solve these issues because those are big1523issues.1524    Senator Padilla. I am glad to at least hear you say the1525grid is fragile in so many ways in so many areas, in large part1526because it's an old grid.1527    Ms. Robertson. Yes----1528    Senator Padilla. So if you are going to address deferred1529maintenance, if you are going to modernize, if you are going to1530add capacity, if you are going to add efficiency and improve1531performance, these are all objectives that require investments,1532not cuts.1533    Thank you.1534    The Chairman. Senator Cortez Masto.1535    Senator Cortez Masto. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.1536    Welcome, congratulations to all the nominees. Welcome to1537all of your family members. It's always fun to be here on the1538first day. It's the second or third day that we will have1539conversations about, but thank you so much.1540    I want to start off by talking a little bit about Nevada1541because Nevada has done an incredible job leaning into the1542potential for energy, and particularly around solar,1543geothermal, and hydro. I mean, there is so much happening in1544Nevada right now, and it is an example of what our future can1545be if we want to be energy independent, including, I want to1546say, battery storage.1547    Ms. Robertson, I invite you to come to Nevada to see what1548is happening with battery storage there because it is part of1549the baseload, and it's happening right now. My frustration is1550that, unfortunately, under this administration, we are picking1551winners and losers. And we are saying to states like Nevada,1552based on our geography and our opportunities, that even though1553solar is one of our number one commodities, that we shouldn't1554even look at it anymore. And I think an all-of-the-above energy1555approach should be based on what each state is capable of doing1556based on their geography, their minerals, whatever is available1557for them. And I am here to tell you, in Nevada, it really is1558around solar, geothermal, hydro, and there is so much more1559happening there, but that's different than the New England1560states. That's even different than Texas. So I am not about1561picking winners and losers, I am looking for a balanced1562approach here, and I am just disappointed that this1563administration and some of my colleagues have gutted and cut1564wind and solar and now are doing the same around battery1565storage, electric vehicles, and critical minerals.1566    And we are going to talk about this because critical1567minerals are key to our technology future. And if we're not1568also leaning in and making sure that this country is capable of1569producing those critical minerals, we are going to be left1570behind in our energy independence, as well as our national1571security. But I want to start with Ms. Robertson, with you.1572According to recent projections from the U.S. Energy1573Information Administration, retail energy prices will continue1574to increase beyond 2026, and additional reports have assessed1575that cuts to clean energy tax credits, like those made in the1576recently enacted GOP reconciliation law, could result in1577Americans paying as much as $110 more on their utility bills.1578And despite these increased energy rates, the administration1579has proposed to zero-out crucial energy assistance programs in1580their Fiscal Year 2026 budget, including EERE's Energy-to-Grid1581Integration Program.1582    And so, I want to talk to you about that. Can you explain1583the benefits that cutting grid energy programs or even energy1584assistance programs provides for Americans? I mean, is this1585where we should be going if we are looking at integrating our1586grid with all of the potential energy sources that are out1587there? And I appreciate your comments that there are trade-offs1588with all of them, but why pick winners and losers?1589    Ms. Robertson. Senator Cortez Masto, I don't believe in1590picking winners and losers. I do believe that energy is about1591science and energy is about numbers. And I don't have any1592feelings or belief structures around energy. It is--they are1593equations, and delivering for the American people is going to1594require us to be thoughtful and tactical. It's going to lean1595into the science and try to advance some of the technologies1596that, frankly, Nevada is leading in. You have one of the1597leading geothermal potentials, and an existing share of your1598utility comes from geothermal.1599    Senator Cortez Masto. But for that reason, energy grid1600integration is so important, wouldn't you agree?1601    Ms. Robertson. I agree with the importance. You asked a1602question specifically about the budget. It is very difficult1603for me to comment on how the budget is allocated, how it works1604today. I am not in the building. I am still living in Colorado.1605This is not exactly an area where I have oversight or domain1606knowledge, but I do know that grid integration is a component1607of the Department of Energy across multiple departments, across1608multiple national labs, and it's a priority for the President1609and it's a priority for Secretary Wright, because without the1610grid, we don't have energy distribution.1611    Senator Cortez Masto. Thank you. I have about 30 seconds1612left and I want to just get this question in. The rest I will1613submit for the record. Thank you all for being here.1614    But Mr. Walsh, it goes without saying, but timely and1615transparent communication is crucial to the success of DOE's1616environmental management program in Nevada. I welcome you to1617come out there and take a look at what's going on. If1618confirmed, do I have your commitment to prioritize an open1619relationship with myself and our state officials on all DOE1620environmental management activities in Nevada?1621    Mr. Walsh. Yes, Senator Cortez Masto----1622    Senator Cortez Masto. And will you pledge to uphold all1623existing agreements and contracts with the State of Nevada?1624    Mr. Walsh. Yes, as President Trump and Secretary Wright1625reinforce, we're not going to force nuclear waste on Nevada.1626    Senator Cortez Masto. Thank you.1627    Thank you, Mr. Chair.1628    The Chairman. Thanks.1629    Senator Cantwell.1630    Senator Cantwell. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I congratulate1631all the nominees.1632    Thank you, Mr. Walsh. My line is a little more detailed on1633this question about commitments to the Hanford cleanup mission,1634and that is one of the key responsibilities you will have. This1635means over the next 15 years removing and treating 56 million1636gallons of nuclear waste. So hardly something that I would call1637an ongoing thing that people, you know, certainly the State of1638Washington has a consent decree with the DOE because we want to1639see it cleaned up, not because we want it to continue.1640    Mr. Walsh. Yes.1641    Senator Cantwell. And so, the notion that somebody would1642suggest that somehow we want this to continue, we have a1643mission and we want to move on. And so, we are happy to move on1644from that, but we also can't do it on the cheap. And oftentimes1645people look at the budget and they are like, oh, let's do it on1646the cheap or, you know, when we had cleanup all around the1647United States, people came together and said, oh, let's always1648get that budget. But as Colorado and South Carolina and other1649places that were easy to clean up got done, then everybody all1650of a sudden said, well, maybe we can do this on the cheap in1651the Northwest. So you can't. You have got to get it done right,1652and we want to make sure that already leaking storage tanks get1653the priority that they deserve.1654    So the major understanding here is the Tri-Party Agreement1655and consent decree milestones that basically say these are the1656milestones that need to be met in cleaning up 586 square miles1657of Cold War era nuclear contaminants. That is literally just1658what it takes. You have to make these investments and continue.1659So do you commit to upholding the Tri-Party Agreement and the1660consent decree milestones that are a part of this process?1661    Mr. Walsh. Yes, thank you for that question, Senator1662Cantwell, and you know, I really look forward to getting out to1663Hanford, meeting you out there, and digging into this. It's a1664critically important mission. The people of Washington State,1665and indeed, all Americans deserve to live in a safe, clean1666environment. I know this has been an ongoing process----1667    Senator Cantwell. Well, this is a federal responsibility,1668right?1669    Mr. Walsh. It is.1670    Senator Cantwell. So it's the Federal Government's1671responsibility. We just are a little more of a watchdog just1672because we are there.1673    Mr. Walsh. Yes.1674    Senator Cantwell. And we have to be.1675    Mr. Walsh. And I am a man of action. I understand the1676consent agreement. I understand the Tri-Party Agreement. It has1677outlined the framework of the cleanup and responsibilities it1678has. It's a living document that has been modified a few times1679over the last 20 years. And you have my commitment that we are1680going to work together, and that it's going to be a priority in1681the Office of Environmental Management.1682    Senator Cantwell. Well, what nuclear waste understanding1683and technical expertise would you bring to the situation?1684    Mr. Walsh. Well, I can tell you that I am a quick learner.1685I have an engineering background. I am sort of an engineering1686geek. And like anything I have accomplished in my life, whether1687it was building a complex semiconductor plant, you rely on the1688experts. And I think what the Hanford site needs is really1689leadership and a good, solid plan that is well executed, and1690that is what I intend to bring.1691    Senator Cantwell. Thank you. Thank you for that.1692    Ms. Robertson, could you talk about the budget cuts to1693EERE?1694    Ms. Robertson. Thank you, Senator, for the question.1695    I am not in the Department, so it's very difficult for me1696to talk specifically about decisions that have been made in the1697Department at this time.1698    Senator Cantwell. What do you think, I mean, we have1699projects that are already underway, and you are talking about1700significant cuts to things like the Battery500 Consortium. Do1701you believe in those kinds of activities?1702    Ms. Robertson. I am not familiar with the Battery5001703Consortium.1704    Senator Cantwell. Okay, so you are trying to get a job with1705this level of oversight on energy efficiency and renewable, and1706this is probably one of the labs in the nation's biggest effort1707on storage, bringing grid-scale storage, so.1708    Ms. Robertson. Is this at PNNL?1709    Senator Cantwell. Yes, yes.1710    Ms. Robertson. Okay. I'm sorry, I didn't know that was what1711it was referring to. I am well aware of their activities in1712both grid--they have released a big report this week in both1713grids and battery innovation. My perspective on the budget, as1714an outsider and a civilian----1715    Senator Cantwell. I am just asking you about this idea that1716we should be investing and trying to testbed to try to get to a1717higher level of battery technology--I mean battery mass--you1718know, grid-scale storage, whether you support that concept.1719    Ms. Robertson. I support battery technology and innovation1720as a very important function of the Department of Energy,1721absolutely.1722    Senator Cantwell. And funding things like that at the1723national lab?1724    Ms. Robertson. Funding at the national labs, again, not1725being in the building, not understanding all of the demands on1726the budget, it's very difficult for me to speak about a1727specific program when I am not in a position to evaluate all of1728the demands on the Department.1729    Senator Cantwell. Okay, thank you.1730    Thank you, Mr. Chairman.1731    The Chairman. Thank you.1732    Senator Barrasso.1733    Senator Barrasso. Thanks so much, Mr. Chairman.1734Congratulations to all of you. I appreciate your time and1735willingness to serve.1736    Mr. Erdos, thanks so much for visiting with me.1737    You know, the previous administration sought to delay and1738deny efforts to expand coal mining. This had a profoundly1739destructive impact on Wyoming, on families, in our communities.1740I think it also had a significant impact, destructively, in1741terms of our energy security as a nation. If confirmed, how are1742you going to change the course of OSM?1743    Mr. Erdos. Well, I think what we need to do is look at1744NEPA. So there was decision that came down from the Supreme1745Court recently in regards to NEPA, and I think it was very1746telling. From what I recall reading, the idea is to focus NEPA1747on the areas to be affected, not so much upstream/downstream,1748substantial deference to the reviewing agency, and I think that1749goes a long way in ensuring that those NEPA reviews are done1750timely, we get EISs approved and records of decision out1751quickly. So I think that is one thing we look at is NEPA. I1752think that is a big deal. I think program amendments is1753another. I spoke to that earlier. I think we have to look at1754that. There are probably 30 to 35 program amendments sitting at1755OSM right now. That has a significant effect on the states and1756how they do business. So we need to look at that too.1757    Senator Barrasso. Well, and to your point, in terms of the1758decision by the U.S. Supreme Court, it was an 8-0 decision. I1759mean, we're not talking about something that was close at all.1760And Justice Kavanaugh wrote the report. NEPA is a procedural1761cross check, not a substantive roadblock. The goal, he said, of1762the law, is to ``inform agency decision-making, not paralyze1763it.'' So I am very glad that you pointed out the Supreme Court1764ruling, and it is going to help influence your ability to get1765things done effectively and quickly.1766    You know, one of the successes of that office that you are1767going to be holding, hopefully after your confirmation, depends1768on strong relationships with the states that execute things1769like the mine programs, both for mine development and for1770cleanup. States need clear guidance and an open line of1771communication to carry out these shared goals. So, if1772confirmed, how will you approach strengthening the cooperation1773between the Federal Government and the states?1774    Mr. Erdos. We will do exactly what we did under the first1775Trump administration, Senator. I had scheduled meetings with1776the state folks. I scheduled meetings with the Interstate1777Mining Compact Commission, who represent most, if not all, of1778the states that have primacy across the country that actually1779mine coal. So you have to communicate with the states. If1780you're not communicating, if you not talking, you're not moving1781forward. If you're not talking, you are going backward. So it's1782all about communication. I represented Ohio for a decade on the1783IMCC--Interstate Mining Compact Commission--so I have many1784relationships across the country with all the state regulators.1785So we will continue to do that. That will serve us well.1786    Senator Barrasso. Ms. Robertson, the Energy Efficiency and1787Renewable Energy Office is in charge of investing in innovative1788ideas and the way to give you the best chance of success with1789all of those. So how do we ensure that our limited funding is1790spent on the highest priority work?1791    Ms. Robertson. Thank you for the question, Senator1792Barrasso.1793    I think the President's priorities have been to create1794reliable, affordable, secure energy, and through that lens, we1795must make decisions regarding allocation of funds to ensure1796that the American taxpayer dollars are invested in the1797programs, projects, and advancements that will create the most1798meaningful impacts to the United States. And I think--I am not1799sure if that answers your question.1800    Senator Barrasso. Yes, you know, because we have limited1801money and we want to make sure we get the best bang for the1802buck.1803    Ms. Robertson. Absolutely.1804    Senator Barrasso. Senator Cantwell just asked about a1805specific project, and I just thought, overall, I would give you1806an opportunity to talk about----1807    Ms. Robertson. Thank you. And I do believe that there are180811 offices within EERE, and the pioneering technologies that1809are happening in geothermal, in bioenergy, in water power--1810there are a lot of exciting developments that don't violate the1811laws of nature or thermodynamics and have real potential.1812    Senator Barrasso. Let me go to Mr. Eisner. Ms. Robertson1813just said ``that don't violate the laws'' and ``that have1814potential.'' So with your role, if confirmed, you are going to1815lead the office that oversees our participation in the1816International Energy Agency. In recent years, the IEA has1817changed its focus away from analyzing the world as it is, and1818has sought to project the world with its policy preferences in1819mind. If confirmed, how will you work with the IEA to get the1820agency back to providing unbiased analysis?1821    Mr. Eisner. Thank you, Senator, for that very important1822question. I enjoyed serving as a keynote speaker at the Rockies1823Petroleum Conference with you last year in Laramie, Wyoming. I1824think that the key to effective advocacy and effective1825diplomacy really is leadership and good data, and I very much1826look forward to--having had much experience in my career1827working with heads of state, government ministers, and1828diplomats--I feel like I can be a very effective advocate of1829the U.S. position and the President's energy agenda in all of1830the bilateral and multilateral forums that I will have the1831honor, if I am confirmed, to participate in.1832    Senator Barrasso. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.1833    The Chairman. Senator Daines.1834    Senator Daines. Chairman Lee, thank you. Congratulations to1835the nominees for considering these important roles. I also want1836to invite each of you to come visit Montana. The rest of the1837world is coming to see us, you might as well join the rest of1838the world and enjoy the great outdoors we have there in our1839great state.1840    Mr. Erdos, in 2020, you were reported out of this Committee1841unanimously and similarly confirmed by the Senate by voice1842vote, and it's our aspiration and goal that we can do it again1843this time around. Unfortunately, under the Biden1844administration, the Office of Surface Mining refused to grant1845permits for three Montana coal mines. Thankfully, the Trump1846administration has reversed course and has now approved the1847Bull Mountains mine permit and the Spring Creek mine permit,1848and we expect to have a permit for the Rosebud coal mine very1849soon. Further, on the Fourth of July, President Trump signed1850the One Big Beautiful Bill into law to specifically authorize1851coal mining at the Bull Mountains mine. I want to thank the1852Chairman of the Committee for fighting for that important1853outcome and win in that piece of legislation. This was a big1854win for a lot of hardworking folks in Montana and for these1855rural Montana communities that don't have the elaborate1856lifestyle that you see on the show Yellowstone. More of Montana1857is struggling day in and day out to pay the bills every month.1858    Mr. Erdos, when confirmed, will you prioritize reviewing1859and completing mining permits and implementing the new coal1860provisions signed into law in the Big Beautiful Bill?1861    Mr. Erdos. Yes, certainly, Senator, and thank you for the1862question. You and I actually talked about those permits a few1863years ago, and obviously, OSM and BLM have got those through1864the system relative to NEPA reviews and finalized those, so1865that's great. Certainly, yes, I think provisions in the Big1866Beautiful Bill, there are some in there--the leasing part is1867not OSM, that's BLM, so we don't lease coal, but BLM does, but1868as far as the other provisions, royalties--that's a big deal--186912-and-a-half to 7 percent. So you have a coal operator out1870there that looks at 20 million tons of coal, and at 12-and-a-1871half percent, the numbers don't work. But he looks at it at 71872percent, and the numbers do work. So you mine that 20 million1873tons of coal at 7 percent, you have those revenues coming back1874into the country. So at 12-and-a-half, you get zero revenue.1875And at seven percent, whatever that number is, you have coming1876into the country.1877    So I am excited about that. I think it will actually1878incentivize the industry to buy more coal and provide more1879revenue for the country.1880    Senator Daines. Right, well the revenue piece is so1881important, but I will tell you, we need more baseload power. We1882need more energy. I mean, this is----1883    Mr. Erdos. Absolutely.1884    Senator Daines. This is an existential threat to the future1885in terms of our competitiveness and so forth as we think about1886where we are headed here in the next several years.1887    By the way, Mr. Erdos, Montana recently passed House bill1888587 to update our mine reclamation laws. It's my understanding1889that the Office of Surface Mining now needs to approve those1890updates, and that mines in Montana need that approval1891immediately. Will you ensure that these approvals aren't held1892up by bureaucracy and are issued without delay?1893    Mr. Erdos. Absolutely, yes. I spoke to this earlier in1894regard to program amendments. It's an issue. I understand it's1895an issue at OSM. We will work on that right away and make sure1896that those move through the system as they should.1897    Senator Daines. Thank you.1898    Mr. Erdos. So the short answer is yes.1899    Senator Daines. Appreciate that.1900    Mr. Eisner, as Assistant Secretary for International1901Affairs, your role will be to advocate for U.S. energy1902dominance around the globe. We have a very important mine in1903Montana called the Stillwater Mine. It's one of the only1904primary producers of platinum and palladium in the United1905States--in fact, it is the only--just on a very short list of a1906few around the world that do such. We have already lost1907hundreds of jobs because of Russian dumping. We must reverse1908this course.1909    Mr. Eisner, when confirmed, will you advocate for the1910Stillwater Mines and their employees--some 700 employees were1911laid off recently--and work with your colleagues throughout the1912administration to take action against unfair Russian trade1913practices?1914    Mr. Eisner. Thank you for that question, Senator Daines.1915    I feel like one of my primary responsibilities as the1916Assistant Secretary for International Affairs will be to1917advocate for American energy and American critical minerals,1918both in bilateral as well as multilateral organizations, and I1919don't know the specifics about Stillwater or what the1920priorities of the Department and Secretary Wright are at this1921point, but I will always defend and advocate for America's1922product, and I will always advocate against unfair trade1923practices, should they exist with the Russians or with anyone1924else.1925    Senator Daines. Mr. Eisner, thank you.1926    One final follow-up question, and I am out of time. I want1927to bring up the--this is getting into the weeds here in1928Montana--it's just probably one you can take notes on and1929follow up, but it's the Montana Alberta Tie Line. It is a vital1930interconnector that allows for energy exports into the Canadian1931marketplace. Unfortunately, Alberta has levied a number of1932rules and regulations that discriminate against Montana1933electricity producers and ultimately undermines the stability1934of our grid. As you know, managing a grid is very, very dynamic1935and very important. You have maximum flexibility. This is a1936problem.1937    When confirmed, would you commit to working with the1938relevant agency partners to ensure that our Montana energy1939producers operate on a level playing field in the Canadian1940markets?1941    Mr. Eisner. Senator, as you know, a centerpiece of the1942President's economic agenda is the creation of a level playing1943field for U.S. exports around the world. And so, I have no1944doubt that a situation as you have described would be something1945that I would be eager to take a look at very early on in my1946tenure, should I be confirmed by the Senate.1947    Senator Daines. Mr. Eisner, thank you.1948    Thank you, Mr. Chairman.1949    The Chairman. Senator Heinrich.1950    Senator Heinrich. We had a little bit of a discussion1951around incandescent and solid-state lighting earlier. So I1952thought I would take the opportunity to give some credit where1953credit is due. Our national labs are the envy of the world, and1954Sandia National Lab, in particular, played a key role in the1955creation of solid-state lighting. So I pulled up some numbers1956off the internet from the Department of Energy and some other1957think tanks that have analyzed the benefits of that, and I1958thought it was interesting that the cost to run a LED light1959bulb for 1,000 hours is $1.32, and the cost to run an1960incandescent light bulb for the same amount of hours is $6.60.1961So there is actually an 80 percent savings over that first1962thousand hours.1963    The other interesting statistic that I was able to pull up1964is that most incandescent light bulbs burn out after 1,0001965hours. I can tell you, with my old pick-up truck, this happens1966to the brake lights all the time. It's a pain in the something.1967And so, when you replace that incandescent with a LED, you1968actually get 25 times the life, and we have our national labs1969to thank for that.1970    Mr. Erdos, I wanted to ask you a particular tribal1971question. The Office of Surface Mining is responsible for1972permitting oversight for all coal mines on tribal lands, and1973that includes four sites right now on the Navajo Nation. So1974when we are talking about operations on tribal land,1975consultation is a legal requirement. It's not, in my view,1976adequate. So I wanted to ask you, if confirmed, would you not1977just engage in consultation, but really engage in active1978collaboration with the Navajo Nation and Navajo communities1979when making decisions about mine operations and reclamations on1980Navajo Nation land?1981    Mr. Erdos. Yes, absolutely, Senator. I am certainly1982committed to doing that. As I said before, earlier, if you1983aren't communicating, you're not moving forward. So I look1984forward to doing that, actually.1985    Senator Heinrich. Do you have some experience working with1986tribal governments?1987    Mr. Erdos. I did back when I was here the previous time,1988yes.1989    Senator Heinrich. Great. I look forward to engaging with1990you on that as well. I think it's really important for your1991success as well as for those communities.1992    Ms. Robertson, I wanted to ask you about something that has1993been raised to me, and I wanted to give you a chance to speak1994to it, that Franklin has had a number of both Clean Air Act1995violations and spills in the State of New Mexico, several dozen1996spills, in fact. And what would you just say to my constituents1997that are concerned about that record in the Permian?1998    Ms. Robertson. Senator Heinrich, happy to speak to that.1999Franklin Mountain Energy is now sold. But we built this company2000from a few barrels a day to over 65,000 barrels of day of oil2001production. Growing an organization from raw BLM leases in2002Southeast New Mexico to running five rigs at one time is a2003massive, 24/7 manufacturing operation for which our team has an2004outstanding safety record and an outstanding EPA air quality2005record. We did have a number of violations that were cited. The2006vast majority of those were remedied within a day or two. The2007majority of those issues came from third-party equipment that2008was on our facilities.2009    We take great pride in both building and operating some of2010the most remarkable oil and gas facilities in the United States2011and in the great State of New Mexico. So I guess having spills2012is part of running a big, complicated business. There is not an2013oil and gas company that can move the amount of fluid, gas, and2014people that we do without having an occasional spill, but our2015record within the community is outstanding and I am very proud2016of them.2017    Senator Heinrich. I appreciate your response to that. I2018think that while these impacts are a reality, they also have2019very real impacts on my constituents. And so, I think the goal,2020as challenging as it is, should be zero. But I appreciate your2021focus on that and your response to those questions.2022    Thank you, Mr. Chairman.2023    The Chairman. Thank you very much.2024    I want to thank the witnesses for their testimony and I2025want to thank all the Senators for their cooperation this2026morning.2027    Questions for the record of this hearing will be due by20286:00 p.m. tomorrow, Thursday, the 10th of July.2029    The record of the hearing will remain open for statements2030until 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 16.2031    Thanks to the members of the Committee and the staff for2032getting this put together.2033    On behalf of the Committee, I am pleased to congratulate2034each and every one of you on your nomination. I look forward to2035working closely with each of you and helping to get your2036nominations advanced to the floor. I hope every member of the2037Committee is willing to work with me to encourage leadership on2038both sides of the aisle to bring these nominations to the floor2039as soon as possible.2040    Today's hearing is adjourned.2041    [Whereupon, at 11:24 a.m., the hearing was adjourned.]20422043                      APPENDIX MATERIAL SUBMITTED20442045                              ----------20462047[GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]20482049                                 [all]