05/11/2010
https://transcripts.cnn.com...
"I just think the fine structure, the monetary penalties are woefully out of date."
"Do you think that an average of $135 per incident is adequate to serve as a deterrent or do you believe the fines should be higher and that the statute should reflect that?"
"Ranking Member Markey and I have introduced legislation to establish an escalating fee on oil and gas leases, which would provide strong incentives for oil companies to either start drilling or relinq..."
"For example, currently, the maximum fine that BLM can issue for a major violation, for something like drilling without a blowout preventer or drilling without a permit is only $5,000."