New Bill Will Divide Offshore Regulators Agency Into 3 Parts

Posted: Jul 15, 2010 10:30 AM by Melissa Canone

WASHINGTON (AP) - A House panel has approved legislation that
would overhaul the government agency responsible for regulating
offshore drilling.
The bill would divide the agency into three parts: one for
leasing and permitting; another for inspections and investigations;
and a third to collect revenue. It also seeks to clamp down on the
revolving door between government and industry by adding a two-year
ban on offshore drilling regulators taking jobs with certain
companies.
The House Natural Resources Committee passed the bill Thursday
27-21, with most Democrats supporting it and all Republicans
opposed.
Committee chairman Nick Rahall, a West Virginia Democrat, says
the Gulf of Mexico oil spill demonstrates that "there is very
little room for error" when it comes to oil rig safety.

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