McCain spokeswoman Sarah Lenti said the Arizona senator 'is committed to a responsive and efficient government. In circumstances in which it is straightforward to anticipate the startup of a new program, he would insist that work would begin in advance and be completed in a timely fashion.' Obama spokesman Brad Carroll said the Illinois senator would also work to speed up the loans. 'After the progress of the past week this is disappointing news from the Department of Energy. Barack Obama understands that these loans are essential for keeping auto jobs here in America, which is why he would do everything possible as president to expedite this process,' Carroll said. Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman wrote a letter Wednesday to Rep. John Dingell, D-Dearborn, after the House Energy and Commerce Committee chairman asked if they could issue loans by January. Bodman said the DOE expects it won't be able to issue loans until March at the earliest. 'It would be many months before we could close any loans and disburse proceeds,' Bodman wrote. Bodman said the department 'would need to work with the Office of Management and Budget to calculate the credit subsidy cost for the loans, would need to select eligible projects and loan agreements ... and would need to negotiate loan agreements with the recipients.' Then the Energy Department would be required to conduct an environmental impact analysis. 'That process alone could take six to 18 months or more,' Bodman wrote. Bodman also noted that the Congressional Review Act requires that the regulations 'lie before Congress for a full 60 days, after issuance, before they take effect.' Finally, Bodman raised the concern that lawsuits could delay it further. Rep. Joe Knollenberg, R-Bloomfield Township, called the statement that it could take more than 18 months 'absurd.' 'It's completely unacceptable to let bureaucratic holdups ... prevent these loans from being approved,' he said.Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Lansing, also urged expediency, noting the Energy Department didn't begin writing regulations for more than nine months after Congress authorized, but hadn't funded, the program. The Energy Department has yet to release $2 billion in loan guarantees approved by Congress in 2005. Last October, it announced 16 finalists for awards but hasn't said when it might make a final decision. Dingell, who met with Bodman on Sept. 12, said the department 'is making excuses for its own anticipated failures.' Detroit's Big Three automakers could save more than $100 million per $1 billion borrowed because of their sub-investment grade credit ratings, and get 25 years to repay. The House approved $7.5 billion to fund the program, with half that cost related to the fact that automakers could seek a deferment of repayment for up to five years. Reach David Shepardson at (202) 662-8735.