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Interview

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ANDERSON COOPER, CNN ANCHOR: Is BP still using too many dispersants?

REP. EDWARD MARKEY (D), MASSACHUSETTS: Well, I have asked the Coast Guard and I have asked the EPA to tell me what the -- decisions have been made that affect BP's use of these dispersants.

I am still very concerned about the impact that this uncontrolled science experiment can have long term in the Gulf of Mexico. And that's why I am demanding that we learn more in public about why BP continues to use the dispersants and what the conditions are that allow them to use them.

COOPER: Because, I mean, BP has reportedly used 272,000 gallons of dispersants in the Gulf since the EPA directed the company to cease using them about four weeks ago, except in rare cases.

Do you know what these allegedly rare cases are that they're using them in?

MARKEY: Well, again, the Coast Guard has the final say on the use of dispersants. And that is why I am asking the Coast Guard to give me the information that they are using in order to allow BP to continue to use the dispersants or if BP is using these dispersants in contravention of an order that has been made by the Coast Guard, in consultation with the EPA.

COOPER: You have said that -- that you're concerned about the underwater use of these dispersants. You say that BP has exceeded the amount that they were supposed to use under the water.

MARKEY: Yes.

BP continues to contend that there are no underwater plumes. And they use evidence from NOAA to say that there are no underwater plumes. But they were, in fact, looking at the data from NOAA west of the well. East of the well, NOAA says that they have confirmed that there are underwater plumes. So, we just continue with BP to have this denial of reality, which has been characteristic of the way in which they have dealt with these issues since day one.

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