Environmental Enforcement

Through the reorganization of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement (BOEMRE), a new Environmental Enforcement Division was created for the very first time within the offshore regulator.

This new division within BSEE will provide sustained regulatory oversight that is focused on compliance by operators with environmental regulations, as well as making sure that operators keep the promises they have made at the time they obtain their leases, submit their plans, and apply for their permits.

Led by BSEE’s Environmental Enforcement Officer, this unit, will be responsible for developing new approaches to environmental inspection and enforcement and ensuring bureau decisions appropriately apply and enforce relevant laws and regulations including the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, and the National Environmental Policy Act. The team will also evaluate the effectiveness of environmental monitoring programs and mitigation measures and take enforcement actions to ensure industry compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

President Obama’s fiscal year 2012 budget request would provide for a total of 33 new employees to develop new, independent environmental compliance capabilities. These resources will be used to develop and implement enhanced environmental inspection and enforcement procedures.