Jeff Bingaman: “In recent years a number of factors have combined to raise the prominence of natural gas as a resource.”

I would certainly like to thank Senator Bingaman, who just retired just very recently, for the strong support that he has shown me over the years, and including support for this nomination.

The President, in my view, could not have chosen a better nominee for the position than Mike.

He knows the crucial role that Congress plays in setting policy and in overseeing how that policy is carried out.

Second, we would want a person with demonstrated managerial abilities.