How cozy is that? The Minerals Management Service makes $13 billion a year for federal government from oil leases yet is supposed to oversee safety and regulation too.
The Obama administration will split the MMS into separate units, one to inspect rigs and enforce safety rules and a second to oversee drilling leases and royalty collections, a White House official said. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar will announce steps to “toughen inspections and oversight” of offshore rigs at 1 p.m. today in Washington, the agency said.
The MMS failed to mandate certain safety devices required on offshore rigs in other countries and allowed BP to drill in 5,000 feet of water without requiring a detailed environmental impact analysis
Ahem, the Obama Administration specifically waived the regulation that BP had to file that report. And they continue doing the same thing, even after the accident.
Since the Deepwater Horizon oil drilling rig exploded on April 20, the Obama administration has granted oil and gas companies at least 27 exemptions from doing in-depth environmental studies of oil exploration and production in the Gulf of Mexico.
Obama biggest recipient of BP cash. Goodness, what a coincidence.
BP and its employees have given more than $3.5 million to federal candidates over the past 20 years, with the largest chunk of their money going to Obama, according to the Center for Responsive Politics.
As is too often the case, Obama makes inspiring noises about reform and changiness, then continues doing the same old thing.