mr. ringo, i was fascinated to hear your testimony, certainly interested in what can be done with using algae as a source for -- as a petroleum stock. where is your plant currently? >> we have a plant -- we've opened plants in calhoun, georgia. we're about to open a plant in augusta, georgia. we have plans to open a plant in michigan, california, and i'm in talks in your home state of texas. >> okay, just give us an idea of how scalable is this production? for example, how many barrels a day can be delivered in one of your plants that is up and running and mature? >> well, it's scalable based on demand. our process, without giving away our trade secret here -- >> i don't want you to do that. >> there's a scalable amount that we can increase our production based on demand. and we have the extraction process in place that we can extract the oil and deliver as a biofuel feed stock or in the pharmaceutical industry for the omega 3's that are present in the product. >> do you see a point where one o

mr. ringo, you are recognized for five minutes. >> thank you very much. my name is jerome ringo and i'm the -- officer of [inaudible] >> would you do me a favor, sir. sorry to interrupt. will you pull your microphone a little closer to you? and is it on? >> is this better? very good, thank you. thank you, mr. chairman. again my name is jerome ringo and i'm the chief business officer for bard holdings, an algae cultivation, harvesting and extraction project creating advance technologies as alternative energy and pharmaceutical resources. my thanks to the chairman, the ranking member and members of the committee for inviting me to speak today on this most important subject. i spent over 25 years working in the louisiana petrochemical industry as a member of the oil, chemical and atomic workers union both in construction and operations. i spent 13 years on the board of directors of the national wildlife federation where i became chairman of that five million member organization. and i also was the

mr. ringo, i support the research and development. at the university of nebraska act -- i helped them get some grants to do research. i hope you were very successful in your operation. i actually have a bill to allow biofuels. under current law, the money can only go to gas and oil pipelines. how would you fill about a bill but would allow pipelines built to carry biofuels like those made from algae? >> i take it is important, but we first have to give consideration to whether there will be out adverse impact of building any type of pipeline. >> fair answer. at this time, i think it is mr. engel, the gentleman from new york is recognized for five minutes. >> he was here first. >> i am sorry. >> thank you, mr. chairman. i am would really like to encourage my colleagues on the other side of the aisle to organize a bipartisan hearings on jobs related to the fastest- growing energy sector and that is clean energy and renewable spree clean energy is creating good jobs all across -- and renewable. clean energy is creating good jobs all acro

mr. jerome ringo who's the chief business officer of bard holdings incorporated. and then we have ms.ne kleeb, executive director of bold nebraska. so once again, we welcome all of you. we're going to recognize each one of you for five minutes for your opening statement. on the front, in the middle of the desk is a little light. when it goes red in your five minutes are up. so we will try to get to these opening statements before we have boats on the floor, and i don't know if we will be successful or not, but mr. pourbaix, i will recognize you for five minutes for your opening statement. >> be sure to put your microphone on. >> transcanada is a $50 billion energy infrastructure company with more than 60 years of experience and responsible to feldman and reliable operation that north american energy infrastructure. we employ over 4200 employees with half of those employers in the united states. in addition, we operate the largest gas pipeline system in north america, over 40,000 miles, with the capability transport 20% of the natural gas produced in north america every day. keystone w

mr. burton. >> my name is jerome ringo. [inaudible] >> would you pull your microphone closer to you? is it on? >> is this better? >> perfect. thank you. >> again, my name is jerome ringo. i am the chief business owner for an allergy harvesting and extraction project that is creating advanced technologies as alternative energy and pharmaceutical resources. my thanks to the chairman and members of the committee for inviting me to speak on this important subject. i spent over 25 years working in the louisiana petrochemical industry as a member of the oil, chemical, and atomic workers union, both in construction and operations. i spent 13 years on the board of directors of the national wildlife federation, where i became chairman. i also was the president of the apollo alliance, a 17 million member coalition on alternative energy. i am currently with barred holdings. i would like to offer long-term perspective. i understand our need for energy and economic stimulation. it is important we meet this demand with smart choices for our economy while minimizing adverse impact on the safety of