According to a May 14 report from the Associated Press, the Obama administration said on May 14 it is tightening procedures at the agency that grants offshore drilling permits to ensure it follows all environmental laws. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar said the review will focus on whether the Minerals Management Service is following the National Environmental Policy Act and other environmental laws before issuing permits for offshore oil and gas development. Salazar and Nancy Sutley, chairwoman of the White House Council on Environmental Quality, announced the review minutes after President Barack Obama pledged to end a "cozy relationship" between the oil industry and federal regulators. Obama said that oil drilling permits had been granted without appropriate environmental reviews.
(Source: Associated Press)