Department of the Interior

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 12, 2005
CONTACT: Dan DuBray
(202) 208-6415
Secretary of Interior Norton, Energy Secretary Bodman to Visit the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, Plantation Pipeline

WASHINGTON, DC - Secretary of Interior Gale Norton and Secretary of Energy Samuel W. Bodman will visit the Gulf Region this week to survey damage wrought by Hurricane Katrina. Norton, who is accompanied by Minerals Management Service Director Johnnie Burton, will meet with MMS employees in Houston, Texas, today at 4 p.m., (Central Time) and energy officials this evening at 6:15 p.m.

On Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2005 Secretaries Norton and Bodman will visit the Strategic Petroleum Reserve at Bayou Choctaw in Plaquemine, La., and will then join Secretary of Transportation Norm Mineta in Collins, Miss., to tour the Colonial and Plantation pipelines and thank employees and electric line crews for quickly restoring operations in the wake of the Hurricane.

EVENT #1: Media Availability at Strategic Petroleum Reserve
WHO: Secretary of Energy Samuel W. Bodman
Secretary of Interior Gale Norton
WHAT: Tour of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve
Media availability to follow
WHEN: Tuesday, September 13, 2005
10:00AM(local time)
WHERE: Bayou Choctaw
60825-B Highway 1148
Plaquemine, LA 70764-5531
**NOTE: Media planning to attend the event must pre-register no later than 8:00AM on Tuesday, Sept. 13. To register, please FAX name, citizenship and outlet of all attending media to the attention of Dave Stoltz at 225-692-6308. Dave can also be reached via pager at 225-692-6251.

Please be advised that picture identification will be required by all media upon arrival. Only U.S. citizens will be permitted into the facility.

EVENT #2: Media Availability at Plantation Pipeline

WHO: Secretary of Energy Samuel W. Bodman
Secretary of Interior Gale Norton
Secretary of Transportation Norm Mineta
WHAT: Tour of Plantation Pipeline Media availability to follow
WHEN: Tuesday, September 13, 2005 5:50PM (local time)
WHERE: Plantation Pipeline
356 Mississippi Highway 588
Collins, MS 39429
**NOTE: Event will be held in the main parking lot at Plantation Pipeline. Media should plan to arrive no later than 5:30PM. Please contact Marty Sanford at Plantation Pipeline at 601-408 -4309 with logistical questions.

Information on Interior's assistance efforts can be found at www.doi.gov as well as on individual bureau websites that can be accessed through DOI's Homepage.

 

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