Interior Secretary Salazar reorganizes MMS

Offshore staff

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar has issued an Order that divides the Mineral Management Service in three parts – Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Bureau of Safety and Environment Enforcement, and Office of Natural Resources Revenue.

Ocean Energy Management “will exercise … energy-related management functions” of the MMS that are not given to the other two agencies. These include resource evaluation, planning, and leasing.

Bureau of Safety and Environment Enforcement will have the authority “to inspect, investigate, summon witnesses and produce evidences, levy penalties, cancel or suspend activities, and oversee safety, response, and removal preparedness.”

Office of Natural Resources Revenue will have the royalty and revenue management functions including “royalty and revenue collection, distribution, auditing and compliance, investigation and enforcement, and assess management for both onshore and offshore activities.”

An effective date is to be scheduled within 30 days after consulting with the White House Office of Management and Budget and involved Congressional committees.

05/20/2010