00:00Welcome to all the witnesses that are here today. I want to begin with an idea, an opportunity.
00:10I think that's not just near and dear to me, important for the state of California, but can be critical, pun intended, for the country.
00:18Just last year, the Department of Energy announced the results of the most comprehensive analysis to date,
00:23quantifying the domestic lithium resources in California's Salton Sea region.
00:30The analysis confirms what we've known in California for a long time now,
00:33that the Salton Sea region has significant potential as a domestic source of critical minerals to reduce our reliance on minerals from foreign countries, particularly China.
00:45So it's a matter of both economic opportunity and national security.
00:49My question is for Ms. Byer.
00:52What is your plan to develop domestic sources of lithium and ensure that we're not reliant on foreign sources?
01:00Senator, thank you for the question. I agree with you 100%.
01:04We have to be very focused as a country on developing our own critical minerals to secure our supply chain
01:12and make us less dependent on other countries for those minerals.
01:19If I am confirmed and oversee that mining process at the office at OSMRE, while that's primarily around coal,
01:31I will do everything within the power of the ASLM to ensure that we can mine effectively and get America ahead on that process.
01:42We know that we're behind.
01:43And it is incredibly dangerous, specifically with regard to China.
01:48Well, I think your chances of getting confirmed are pretty darn good.
01:52So let me jump into some specifics and into the weeds here.
01:55If confirmed, would you commit that brining as a means of extraction would be included in any administrative action
02:05to incentivize the domestic supply of critical minerals?
02:09Sir, since I've not been in the building and I haven't been fully briefed on that,
02:15I can't say specifically what I would support, but I look forward to learning more about it.
02:22I hope to get in the building soon and to be able to get into the weeds of that.
02:27Good.
02:28Well, I look forward to being part of that education coming up to speed.
02:31I would certainly ask that you work with California leaders to advance brining and other opportunities
02:38in the Lithium Valley region of California.
02:42My next questions are directed at Dr. Travnicek.
02:49First of all, congratulations again on your nomination.
02:52Before we begin, I just wanted to confirm one thing.
02:57You're currently working as a senior advisor at the department, correct?
03:02Senator, that's correct.
03:03Okay.
03:03So if you've watched any of the confirmation hearings for your colleagues that have come through this committee,
03:10I'm sure you've heard me talk about our work in recent years to establish
03:15and to expand national monuments in California in recent years.
03:21And as I've talked about here in committee, and as I've raised with the secretary directly, repeatedly,
03:27in person and on the phone and during his confirmation,
03:31the landscapes that I'm referring to have little or no energy or mineral potential.
03:38We were very, you know, we worked to establish the boundaries very precisely with a mind to that.
03:45By the way, these monuments enjoy tremendous and literally overwhelming support in California across the board.
03:54And I raise that because I'd hate for it to see.
03:58I don't believe these monuments, new and expanded, fit really into this right-sizing effort
04:06that I'm hearing about the administration discussing when it comes to national monuments.
04:10So I'd like to know, have you been part of the discussions at the department to date
04:15in terms of the right-sizing of national monuments
04:18or the review process for protected landscapes for energy or mineral potential?
04:23So, Senator, as a senior advisor, I have been working on different executive orders
04:28and secretary orders that have come before the department.
04:31As it relates to this one, I have not been specifically involved.
04:34Okay. Well, if and when you do become involved, engagement with stakeholders is critical for this
04:42and in all processes.
04:44And as far as we can tell, we're hearing about a review.
04:46We're hearing about a review.
04:47We're hearing these monuments may be on the list, may not be on the list.
04:51Maybe they are on the list.
04:52But the folks on the ground, the very leaders that advocated for the establishment
04:57and the expansion of these monuments have not been consulted.
04:59So I would ask that you commit to, again, if and when you become involved with this,
05:07to commit to true engagement with local leaders, both sides of the aisle,
05:13Democrats and Republicans, tribal leaders, conservationists and others,
05:18as part of any so-called review.
05:21And I would further ask that you commit, just as the first Trump administration did,
05:24if there's going to be a suggested reconfiguration of the boundaries,
05:30that it be made public and a public comment period or an opportunity for public input
05:36be allowed before any final actions are taken.
05:40Can you commit to that as a good faith process with the public?
05:43So, Senator, if confirmed, I am committed to working with you and others
05:49that might have feedback related to that.
05:51As discussed, there are executive orders and secretary orders,
05:54and it will be different bureaus that will be working on that
05:58versus the ones that I will be involved with.
06:00But I would bring any of those concerns and commitment
06:02to working with those colleagues that might be working on that initiative.
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