Thank you, Mr. Chairman for holding this hearing.

And I'd like to thank the panel for taking time out of their extremely busy schedules to appear before us today.

I noted that, in your written statements, all of you appear to be supportive of alternative fueled vehicles, including biodiesel, and hybrid technology. I am the proud owner of a hybrid vehicle and have the privilege to represent the world's first entirely renewable biodiesel facility in Denton, Texas, so I am pleased to hear this.

Many of those advocating for carbon cap-and-trade system argue that it should be economy-wide, which would include the transportation sector.

I am greatly concerned about the potential impact of a carbon cap-and-trade system on America's manufacturing sector.

Automobile manufacturers, in particular, could be especially hurt as they face higher electricity bills even as they make significant expenditures to meet Congressionally-imposed, arbitrary, CAFE Standards. I will be interested to hear from our witnesses on this subject.

I strong support increased fuel efficiency in vehicles -- I think the single most important step towards energy independence is reducing the amount of oil used for cars and trucks on our roads -- but it is important that we do not recreate the Yugo.

It is consumer demand and consumer choice that will ultimately determine the "fuel economy" of the vehicles that are actually on America's highways and biways.

Until consumers realize that there's a direct correlation between energy prices, dependence on foreign oil and their SUVs or other big gas guzzlers, we will not see a change in consumer habits.

I thank the panel again for appearing before us today and look forward to hearing their thoughts.