Jeff Bingaman United States Senator from New Mexico

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman today talked with New Mexico radio reports about his visit this week to the Gulf Coast to learn more about BP's plans to plug its leaking well and to clean up the disastrous spill.  Bingaman's remarks can be retrieved and followed:  

00:00 – Bingaman talks about his visit this week to the Gulf Coast to learn more about BP's plans to plug its leaking well and to clean up the disastrous spill.

01:51 – Bingaman says he hopes BP will be successful in stopping the leak today.

03:10 – Bingaman says there is no question that the oil spill is damaging the Gulf Coast.

03:58 – Bingaman says the future of deepwater oil drilling is still unclear.

05:06 – Bingaman says that no new drilling permits are being issues but some permits are being issued to modified drilling plans that had already been approved and were under way.

07:20 – Bingaman talks an Energy Committee hearing he chaired yesterday on liability and financial responsibility relating to the Gulf of Mexico oil spill.

10:38 – Bingaman talks about a Department of Interior plan to divide MMS into three distinctly separate offices.

12:46 – Bingaman talks about the alternatives to deep-sea drilling.

15:04 – Bingaman says Sandia and Los Alamos National Laboratories are playing a role in helping stop the leak.