Archive

The Obama administration sent a preliminary bill for $69.09 million to BP and other responsible parties for response and recovery operations relating to the BP/Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill.

National Incident Commander Admiral Thad Allen briefs the American public on the progress of the administration-wide response to the BP oil spill from the Incident Command Post in Houma, La.

Washington, DC: Bureau of Land Management Director Bob Abbey, who has been called upon to also serve as Acting Director of the Minerals Management Service (MMS), today announced that, before drilling new oil and gas wells on the Outer Continental Shelf, operators will be required to submit additional information about potential risks and safety considerations in their plans for exploration or development.

President Obama met with former U.S. Senator Bob Graham of Florida and former EPA Administrator Bill Reilly, who last week he named co-chairs to lead the bipartisan National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling.

LAS VEGAS, NV—First Lady Michelle Obama, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Assistant Secretary of the Interior Rhea Suh today launched the Administration's national Let's Move Outside! initiative to promote outdoor physical activity for children and families.

Speaking at Nevada's Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, the First Lady characterized Let's Move Outside! as a critical new component of Let's Move— the comprehensive strategy she announced in February to help solve the problem of childhood obesity within a generation.

At the direction of President Obama, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar continued his eighth trip to the Gulf region Secretary Salazar met with top BP officials, federal personnel and government scientists in Houston.

WASHINGTON - At the direction of the President, Department of the Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa Jackson and NOAA Administrator Jane Lubchenco will return to the Gulf region next week as they continue their work, aggressively responding to the BP oil spill.

These officials' actions on scene will be coordinated by National Incident Commander Admiral Thad Allen, who is leading the administration-wide response and directing all interagency activities.

Washington, DC: The U.S. Department of the Interior today issued a directive to oil and gas lessees and operators on the Outer Continental Shelf notifying them of requirements under the six month deepwater drilling moratorium that Secretary Salazar has ordered.

WASHINGTON, D.C.--Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar today announced that Bureau of Land Management Director Bob Abbey will serve as acting director of the Minerals Management Service (MMS).

“Bob Abbey's recent leadership on onshore energy reforms is exactly the kind of experience we need as we continue to reform and begin to restructure MMS,” said Secretary Salazar. “I appreciate Bob's willingness to help tackle this crisis in the Gulf.”

WASHINGTON – To improve the safety of oil and gas development in federal waters, provide greater environmental protection and substantially reduce the risk of catastrophic events such as the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar today called for aggressive new operating standards and requirements for offshore energy companies and ordered a six-month moratorium on deepwater drilling.