MMS not only federal watchdogs guilty of cozying up to those they're supposed to regulate

When I was a reporter for Gannett Louisiana I suggested several times since I joined the group in 1998  that we take a critical look at rig safety in the Gulf of Mexico.

I was tired of pumping out the typical Gannett puffery on rig counts, local promotions within the business, and new profit milestones year by year. (See Screenshot below from yesterday's paper)

"Why?" I was asked. "There have been no major accidents, no major spills, no news peg? What's the point?"

Well, I guess they get that point today.

It didn't take a rocket scientist familiar with the incestuous relationship between Minerals Management Service and the Oil & Gas industry to realize it was a time bomb waiting to explode -- figuratively, and, unfortunately, literally.

But, because it means so much to our economy, no one wanted to touch it.

I won't lie to you here, and claim this was my personal mission or that I was relentless in my pursuit of the story -- but it was an issue I brought up several times over the years, as a business and investigative reporter.

And I regret not having pushed for it more.

It's clear now that Obama is going to push to split up the MMS,  as outlined in this NY Times article. He wants to separate the royalty-collecting arm of the department from the regulatory one.

Twelve years after I first brought this to an editor's attention I have one word for Clinton, Bush, Obama and countless media outlets who cover the industry yet ignored the obvious conflict:

Duh.

And, more importantly, I hope that the ridiculous lack of oversight evident within MMS serves as a clarion call for the federal government to review similar conflicts (and cozy relationships) within other federal agencies, such as the FDA, HUD and the Department of Labor.

Let's hope it doesn't take more fatalities and billions in damages or fines to turn the microscope to those departments.

Here are the three best stories on the BP Horizon spill published today, May 15, 2010:


Top Hat plan history, narrow tube up next -- The Huffington Post

Oil composition changing, breaking up -- Mobile Press-Register

Transocean seeks to mitigate financial responsibility -- Seattle Times