WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette (D-CO) today offered the following statement on Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar’s announcement of the restructuring of the Minerals Management Service:

"In light of the recent crisis in the Gulf, I am pleased Secretary Salazar has taken the long overdue step of reorganizing the Minerals Management Service (MMS).  MMS serves an invaluable role in the regulation and oversight of all drilling activities – both offshore and onshore.   As discussions continue regarding the expansion of offshore drilling, as well as the increased extraction of natural gas within the US, we must ensure that MMS has an effective and transparent mission to keep those drilling initiatives safe.  Separating enforcement from revenue is a best management practice that will help achieve that goal. The spill in the Gulf is, unfortunately, yet another challenge faced by this agency and its employees in recent years.   But this reorganization should finally provide a clear and precise mission for the hard-working MMS employees who operate with integrity and commitment every day."

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