If you are concerned about the Gulf Coast oil spill, you need to read Leasing Oil and Gas Resources in the Outer Continental Shelf, from the recently reorganized Minerals Management Service (MMS). This document details exactly what the federal government should be doing to ensure the environmental safety of offshore oil production and the powers the government can exert over the petroleum companies allowed to lease our oceans.
The portion of the Gulf of Mexico now devastated by the spill belongs to the American people, not BP. The American people have leased a portion of the Gulf of Mexico to BP to "explore, develop, and produce oil and/or natural gas." The MMS - an agency of the Department of Interior -- acts as the people's property manager, enforcing the rules and regulations of oil and gas leases throughout the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf.
There are currently over 8,000 oil and gas leases like BP's in the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf, the vast majority of which are located in the Gulf of Mexico and all of which are managed by the MMS.
Along with the process by which MMS approves and sells the leases, Leasing Oil and Gas Resources in the Outer Continental Shelf, explains that the MMS has the power to suspend all exploration and production activities or even cancel a lease completely for violations of environmental or safety regulations.
"In addition, the lease requires that the lessee comply with additional rules and regulations that may be issued after the lease is awarded to provide for the prevention of waste and the conservation of the natural resources of the OCS," states Leasing Oil and Gas Resources in the Outer Continental Shelf. "For example, the DOI (Department of Interior) may require certain safety equipment that previously had not been required."
MMS Reorganized: In response to the MMS' apparent failures in managing BP's Deepwater Horizon lease, including approving a sub-standard Oil Spill Response Plan, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar ordered a major reorganization of MMS' regulatory structure. "These reforms will strengthen oversight of offshore energy operations, improve the structure for revenue and royalty collections on behalf of the American people, and help our country build the clean energy future we need," stated Sec. Salazar.
Also See:
Fishing Now Banned in 22 Percent of Gulf
Oil Spilling Into Gulf Much Faster Than Reported (Environment)
Take That, Oil Spill! It's National Oceans Month
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