Drilling moratorium's improper use of scientists' views investigated

by **TexasBlue** Thu Jul 22, 2010 11:39 pm

Drilling moratorium's improper use of scientists' views investigated

Frederic J. Frommer
The Associated Press
July 22, 2010

WASHINGTON -- Allegations that scientists' views were improperly used to justify a federal moratorium on deep-water drilling are being investigated, the Interior Department's top watchdog says.

House Republicans who had sought the investigation released a letter Thursday from Acting Inspector General Mary Kendall confirming the probe.

Scientists who consulted with Interior Secretary Ken Salazar for a report on drilling safety this spring said the department falsely implied that they had agreed to a "blanket moratorium."

The scientists said the drilling moratorium went too far and warned that it may have a lasting impact on the nation's economy.

The Interior Department's May 27 report, which called for the moratorium, said its recommendations were "peer-reviewed" by seven experts identified by the National Academy of Engineering.

Interior spokeswoman Kendra Barkoff said the experts were not asked to review or comment on the decision to implement the moratorium.

They were asked only to review on a technical basis the 22 safety recommendations contained in the report, and they performed that task, she said.

The department has said previously that by listing the experts who had peer-reviewed those recommendations, it did not mean to imply that they also agreed with the moratorium.

Those assurances have done little to mollify a group of Republicans on the House Natural Resources Committee, who urged Kendall in a letter this week to launch the investigation.

"Were any laws broken?" asked the seven lawmakers, led by the committee's top Republican, Doc Hastings of Washington.

They also questioned whether the White House or political appointees had any influence.

Depending on the results of the investigation, the inspector general could come up with recommendations aimed at preventing a repeat of any problems she finds.

A group of senators urged Salazar to resume and expedite shallow-water drilling permits.

The senators noted that only one new shallow-water permit has been issued in the last 10 weeks.

The ten senators -- eight Republicans led by Kay Bailey Hutchison of Texas, and two Democrats, Mary Landrieu of Louisiana and Mark Begich of Alaska -- introduced a resolution urging a swift review of applications. They also pressed the case in a letter to Salazar.