WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Congressman Bart Stupak (D-Menominee) released the statement below following President Obama’s remarks Friday on the ongoing Gulf oil spill response, including the announcement of a review of the Mineral Management Services (MMS) National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) procedures:

“The Deepwater Horizon drilling rig explosion and subsequent oil spill in the Gulf are a tragic reminder that rules and regulations are ineffective without proper enforcement by both the companies involved in drilling as well as the federal government.  We continue to have many questions about the role Minerals Management Services may have had in this economic and ecological disaster.  In the meantime, I support Secretary Salazar’s plan to separate the regulatory and royalty-collecting functions of MMS.  I was also pleased to hear President Obama’s call for a review of the MMS National Environmental Policy Act procedures for oil and gas exploration and development in the outer continental shelf.  If we are going to drill in environmentally sensitive areas we must be certain that all possible precautions are taken to protect these areas – and that includes thorough and conclusive environmental and safety reviews by the federal government.”

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