Ocean Energy Safety Advisory Committee to Hold First Meeting

WASHINGTON – Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar and Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement (BOEMRE) Director Michael R. Bromwich today announced that the Ocean Energy Safety Advisory Committee (OESC) will hold its first public meeting on Monday, April 18, 2011.

“The safe, responsible and appropriate development of our nation's offshore oil and gas resources requires a thoroughly coordinated and comprehensive approach,” Secretary Salazar said. “The Safety Advisory Committee will provide a vital forum to evaluate the latest scientific and technical information on ocean energy safety and recommend the most effective approaches to drilling and workplace safety, well intervention and containment and oil spill response.”

“This Committee is a key component of a long-term strategy to address on a continuing basis the technological needs and inherent risks associated with offshore drilling, and deepwater drilling in particular,” said Director Bromwich. “The challenge facing government and industry in the months and years ahead is to ensure that we do not once again become complacent about the risks of offshore drilling, but rather that we continue to make progress in developing state-of-the-art safety, containment and response capabilities.”

The OESC is a public federal advisory body of the nation's leading scientific, engineering and technical experts. Chaired by former Sandia National Laboratory Director Tom Hunter, the group consists of 15 members from federal agencies, the offshore oil and gas industry, academia and various research organizations who will represent their collective viewpoint on ocean energy safety. The Committee will provide critical policy advice to Secretary of the Interior through the BOEMRE Director on improving all aspects of ocean energy safety.

The meeting is open to the public, and will begin at 8:30 a.m. at U.S. Access Board, 1331 F Street, N.W., Suite 800, Washington, D.C. 20004.

Secretary Salazar and Director Bromwich announced the establishment of the OESC on Jan. 19, 2011. More information is available at: http://www.doi.gov/news/pressreleases/Salazar-Names-Members-of-Ocean-Energy-Safety-Advisory-Committee-to-Guide-Oil-and-Gas-Regulatory-Program-Reform.cfm.

Information about the meeting is available for public inspection in the Federal Register today: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/public-inspection/index.html.

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