This report details how in 2006 the MMS scuttled a report on long-term damage of the Valdez (see link) so as to subvert the environmental impact process. The foxes are guarding the hen house in light of the 2005 MMS rule that ""The lessee or operator is in the best position to determine the environmental effects of its proposed activity based on whether the operation is routine or non-routine."

Excellent digging into the failure of regulators to heed clear warnings prior to the BP oil spill.

Eilperin looks at the behaviors and cultures within the agencies that are supposed to oversee the environment relative to drilling risks. Informative.

the article partially explains why the mms, the liason between oil leases and the companies, have let companies off the hook for environmental studies before letting them drill, including pres. obama's moritorium on some arctic leases. altho the processes began before the obama administration, i'd like to have read a discussion of why the current administration continues some practice: for example,. are pres. bush hirees in the interior dept. still influencing decisions, or is going through all the many many site applications not feasible, or ? .