Jeff Bingaman United States Senator from New Mexico

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman today chaired a workshop aimed at finding a bipartisan consensus in the U.S. Senate on how to address high gasoline prices.

Bingaman, chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, tapped two noted oil analysts – Daniel Yergin and Roger Diwan -- to serve as expert resources in the discussion. Instead of restricting the meeting to only Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee members, Bingaman invited all 100 Senators to attend. 

Bingaman sought input from all Senators in the hopes of developing a broad, bipartisan approach to both using energy more efficiently and producing more oil and gas.

“We have taken many steps over the past few years to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels. As a result, we are beginning to shift to homegrown biofuels and renewable energies, and in the longer-term this will reduce demand for fossil fuels and reduce prices,” Bingaman said.

“But with the high cost of fuel, families are hurting now. We convened this meeting today to find out what steps Congress can take to help in the short term,” he added. 

Among the ideas discussed today were a range of proposals to reduce demand through more efficient use of fuel, and measures that would require the diligent development of millions of acres that have been leased to oil companies. 

“This was a good discussion and I look forward to working with my colleagues to reach consensus on a proposal we can act upon soon to provide relief to families across the country,” Bingaman said.

Link to video of workshop