"This common-sense principle says that if you cause environmental harm, you are responsible for cleaning it up."
"When that happens and there is no bond or other financial assurance, the taxpayer is stuck with the bill to clean up the pollution."
"Congressional oversight is clearly needed in this area. We must ensure taxpayer dollars are not needlessly put at risk to cover cleanup costs when this could be avoided."
"I applaud the Chairman's focus on whether energy developers on Bureau of Land Management land are adhering to the 'polluter pays' principle."
"I think there are bigger fish to fry here."
"If a company is self-bonded but can't cover reclamation costs, in reality the taxpayer has to pay the bill."
"I do not think that is true. Is it not true that you have issued a rule? Can you talk about that?"
"So, can I just be clear for the record? It sounds to me like you were following very closely the recommendations that the external reviews have given you."
"But does it mean they were shredded?"
"I think it is very clear we have to tighten; but I do not want rumors to start off that are not true either."
"I do think that the Inspector General, it is my hope and intent I've been told, has an ongoing investigation where all of the questions that you have asked should be answered;"
"I do not like anybody's reputation and integrity being done on hearsay."