We, on this side of the aisle, look forward to a productive working relationship with you and with the majority, occasionally punctuated by knockdown drag-out fights over issues that we all care about deeply.

So this Groundhog Day recitation of how regulations will destroy the economy and jobs has already been shown to be flat-out wrong.

It is vital to our nation's energy future that we examine the causes of this tragedy with clear eyes, assess the lessons to be learned with open minds, and commit ourselves to fundamental reform with firm resolve.

EPA has also issued a rule that ensures that millions of smaller sources of global warming pollution are exempted from a requirement to obtain Clean Air Act permits.

This is not a time for half measures or tinkering around the edges; this is a time for bold reforms.

While I applaud the Chairman for holding this hearing today, I am also deeply saddened that this hearing is necessary.

Just to note here, BP had 760 OSHA fines--versus one for ExxonMobil--so we can understand that there is something fundamentally wrong here that a company like that was allowed to continue to operate.

It is vital to our Nation's energy future that we examine the causes of this tragedy with clear eyes, assess the lessons to be learned with open minds, and commit ourselves to fundamental reform with firm resolve.

What you have alluded to, both of you, is the fact that somewhere along the line, there is human error; something wasn't read.

If we are shortsighted and complacent, today's hearing will be an end. If we are visionary and engaged, today's hearing is only the beginning of having America have the safest and most productive oil and natural gas industry.

Installing pollution control technologies on power plants could also lead to increases in the efficiency of the facilities and significant cost savings for companies.