Government sends BP third bill, for $51 million

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- BP received a third bill from the government on Monday, to the tune of $51.4 million, for cleanup costs related to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.

The Obama administration said BP "and other responsible parties" have paid the first two bills in full, for a total of $70.89 million. Monday's bill makes a total of $122.29 million billed to date.

But on Day 63 of the disaster in the Gulf of Mexico, where an explosion occurred aboard the drilling rig Deepwater Horizon, thousands of gallons of oil are still gushing from BP's (BP) well each day.

The government reiterated that BP "is financially responsible for all costs associated with the response to the spill."

That response includes efforts to stop the leak, save affected wildlife, protect the shoreline, and compensate those who have lost their livelihoods because of the spill.

Monday's bill included expenses from two dozen federal entities and agencies from three states, the government said. Other costs, such as claims for lost wages, are being paid directly by BP and are not included in the federal bills.

Separately, former Justice Department Inspector General Michael Bromwich was sworn in Monday to run the renamed government department that will regulate offshore drilling. The division once called the Minerals Management Service has been redubbed the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement.