Obama says moratorium on some drilling will continue, more environmental reviews needed
By APThursday, May 27, 2010
Obama announces slowdown on new drilling
WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama says a moratorium on new deepwater oil wells will be extended for six months while further investigations of the disaster in the Gulf of Mexico can be conducted.
The president also said that regulators must have more time to review permits for drilling and must pay closer attention to environmental laws.
Obama said some proposed drilling lease sales would be canceled. He decried what he called a “scandalously close relationship” between regulators and oil companies and said that would be stopped.
Obama said he would use the full force of the federal government to protect citizens and that BP would be required to reimburse all claims. The president spoke Thursday at a press conference in the White House. He’s visiting the Gulf on Friday.
