Ethics ‘Stain’: White House Altered Drilling Safety Report
- Posted on November 10, 2010 at 6:47pm by
Scott Baker
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WASHINGTON (AP) — The Interior Department‘s inspector general says the White House edited a drilling safety report in a way that made it falsely appear that scientists and experts supported the idea of the administration’s six-month ban on new drilling.
The inspector general says the editing changes resulted “in the implication that the moratorium recommendation had been peer reviewed.” But it hadn’t been. The scientists were only asked to review new safety measures for offshore drilling.
“There was no intent to mislead the public,” said Kendra Barkoff, a spokeswoman for Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, who also recommended in the May 27 safety report that a moratorium be placed on deepwater oil and gas exploration. “The decision to impose a temporary moratorium on deepwater drilling was made by the secretary, following consultation with colleagues including the White House.”
The Interior Department, after one of the reviewers complained about the inference, promptly issued an apology to the reviewers during a conference call, with a letter and personal meeting in June.
The inspector general’s report, which was originally requested by Louisiana Sen. David Vitter and Rep. Steve Scalise in June, said the administration did not violate federal rules because the executive summary did not say the experts approved the recommendations and the department offered a formal apology and had publicly clarified the nature of the expert review.
But Louisiana Rep. Bill Cassidy, a Republican, said in a statement that the investigation proved “that the blanket drilling moratorium was driven by a politics and not by science.”
“Candidate Obama promised that he would guided by science, not ideology,” Cassidy said. Cassidy said if that were true thousands of jobs and billions in economic activity would have been preserved on the Gulf coast.
The Web site Politico was first to report the inspector general’s findings. The Associated Press on Wednesday obtained a copy of the report, which has not been publicly released.
WASHINGTON (AP) — The oil spill that damaged the Gulf of Mexico‘s reefs and wetlands is also threatening to stain the Obama administration’s reputation for relying on science to guide policy.
Academics, environmentalists and federal investigators have accused the administration since the April spill of downplaying scientific findings, misrepresenting data and most recently misconstruing the opinions of experts it solicited.
Meanwhile, the owner of the rig that exploded in the Gulf of Mexico, Transocean Ltd., is renewing its argument that federal investigators are in danger of allowing the blowout preventer, a key piece of evidence, to corrode as it awaits forensic analysis. Testing had not begun as of last week, the company says, some two months after it was raised from the seafloor.
The blowout preventer could be a key piece of evidence in lawsuits filed by victims, survivors and others. Transocean was responsible for maintaining it while it was being used on BP’s well. Investigators agreed to flush the control pods with fluid on Sept. 27 to prevent corrosion. But a Transocean lawyer wrote in his Nov. 3 letter that there have been no further preservation steps on the blowout preventer since then.
The latest complaint from scientists comes in a report by the Interior Department’s inspector general, which concluded that the White House edited a drilling safety report in a way that made it falsely appear that scientists and experts supported the administration’s six-month ban on new deep-water drilling. The AP obtained the report early Wednesday.
The inspector general said the editing changes by the White House resulted “in the implication that the moratorium recommendation had been peer reviewed.” But it hadn’t been. Outside scientists were asked only to review new safety measures for offshore drilling.
“There are really only a few people that know what they are talking about” on offshore drilling,” said Ford Brett, managing director of Petroskills, a Tulsa, Okla.-based petroleum training organization. “The people who make this policy do not … so don’t misrepresent me and use me for cover,” said Brett, one of seven experts who reviewed the report.
In a statement issued Wednesday, the White House insisted the review was properly coordinated and pointed to the inspector general’s findings.
“Following a review that included interviews with peer review experts, the Inspector General found no intentional misrepresentation of their views…The decision to implement a six-month moratorium on deep-water drilling in the Gulf of Mexico was correctly based on the need for adequate spill response, well containment and safety measures, and we stand behind that decision,” White House deputy press secretary Bill Burton said.
Last month, staff for the presidential oil spill commission said that the White House‘s budget office delayed publication of a scientific report that forecast how much oil could reach the Gulf’s shores. Federal scientists initially used a volume of oil that did not account for the administration’s various cleanup efforts, but the government ultimately cited smaller amounts of oil.
The same report said that President Barack Obama’s energy adviser, Carol Browner, mischaracterized on national TV a government analysis about where the oil went, saying it showed most of the oil was “gone.” The report said it could still be there. It also said that Browner and the head of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Jane Lubchenco, contributed to the public’s perception the report was more exact than it was by emphasizing peer review.
The new inspector general report said Browner’s staff implied that scientists had endorsed the drilling moratorium, by raising a reference to peer review in the drilling safety report. At least one outside expert who was involved said he was convinced afterward that it wasn’t a deliberate deception, and Interior Department officials told the inspector general they didn’t deliberately make changes to cause confusion.
“There was no intent to mislead the public,” said Kendra Barkoff, a spokeswoman for Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, who also recommended in the May 27 safety report that a moratorium be placed on deep-water oil and gas exploration. “The decision to impose a temporary moratorium on deep-water drilling was made by the secretary, following consultation with colleagues including the White House.”
After one of the reviewers complained, the Interior Department promptly issued an apology during a conference call, in a formal letter and during a personal meeting in June.
All seven experts asked to review the Interior Department’s work expressed concern about the change made by the White House, saying that it differed in important ways from the draft they had approved.
“We believe the report does not justify the moratorium as written, and that the moratorium as changed will not contribute measurably to increased safety and will have immediate and long-term economic effects,” the scientists wrote earlier this year to Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal and Sens. Mary Landrieu and David Vitter. “The secretary should be free to recommend whatever he thinks is correct, but he should not be free to use our names to justify his political decisions.”
Those complaints were similar to those of other scientists.
“Their estimates always seemed to be biased to the best case,” said Joseph Montoya, a biology professor at Georgia Tech. “A number of scientists have experienced a strong push back.”
The inspector general’s report said the administration did not violate federal rules because the executive summary did not say the experts approved of the moratorium and because the department publicly clarified what the experts said and had offered a formal apology.
__
Associated Press writers Seth Borenstein in Washington and Harry R. Weber in New Orleans contributed reporting.
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Comments (78)
uncleherbert
Posted on November 10, 2010 at 7:41pmwe need control, 2012 can’t come fast enough. then we can make the tough choices to get this country out of debt. please God send us another George Washington.
Report Post »libertyordeath87
Posted on November 10, 2010 at 7:34pmDo as I say……….and screw you!!!!! Impeach this pig now.
Report Post »dontbotherme
Posted on November 10, 2010 at 7:34pmThe truth, like light in darkness, will always come out. It’s time for justice. But who, in our government is powerful enough & honest enough to do what has to be done? Loosing faith here.
Report Post »starman70
Posted on November 10, 2010 at 7:34pmAnother nail in the coffin for America. Just what Obama, Soros and the far left goons want for our country. Drive us further into debt by having to buy foriegn oil while Soros gets richer with his millions of dollars worth of Petrobras stock he bought during the gulf Crisis and the moratorium.
Report Post »cynderella
Posted on November 10, 2010 at 7:30pmGod help us all stand up to this corruption! I can‘t even stand to hear the sound of Obama’s voice anymore…
Report Post »ensemble
Posted on November 10, 2010 at 7:30pmOf course it was meant to deceive. Like Ruler4you said,..why the alterations if not for the specific intent of deception. The Obama administration has always thought of the peasant voting class as too partisan too care or too stupid to notice. And when they are caught red handed, they just say..my bad..sorry. Sorry doesn’t cut it.
Report Post »BurntHills
Posted on November 10, 2010 at 7:29pmjust more proof what a LIAR the buttboy puppet obama is.
Report Post »PITMASTER
Posted on November 10, 2010 at 7:28pmThese people will stop at nothing to advance their agenda. I’m 55 years old and the only thing close to these tactics came from the Nixon White House. How many hard working people in the Gulf were, and still are out of work by this lying bunch of Bernie Madoff clones?
Report Post »The GOP could consume the next two years in the House just investigating these despicable bastards! I kid you not, it seems like something comes to the surface everyday to beat you down; I am so sick of these Anti-American a-holes I can’t take much more. If I knew who was going to run against this Marxist in 2012, I’d try to vote absentee tomorrow.
needanotherReagan
Posted on November 10, 2010 at 7:27pmAdd another one to Darell Issa’s to do list.
Report Post »bry
Posted on November 10, 2010 at 7:25pmThe White House was purposely deceitful??? With Obama “King of Transparency” at the helm?
I, for one, am shocked!!!
Report Post »Sharkhaywood
Posted on November 10, 2010 at 7:25pmSo the defense is “we didn’t intend to mislead the public when we mislead the public”? Really, that’s the best they can do?
Report Post »Ruler4You
Posted on November 10, 2010 at 7:18pmWhy alter the report if there was “no intent to deceive?”
The ONLY thing government CAN do is deceive.
Report Post »troyvar
Posted on November 10, 2010 at 7:11pm“no intent to mislead the public”… effin liars!!!
Report Post »Mike in Columbus
Posted on November 11, 2010 at 12:30am“There was no intent to mislead the public,” said Kendra Barkoff, a spokeswoman for Interior Secretary Ken Salazar” Uh … that’s misleading, too.
In re: “ethics stain” >> They eventually ignored the one Slick Willy left for Monica. They’ll ignore and deny this one, too.
Report Post »Its Gonna Getcha
Posted on November 10, 2010 at 7:09pmWhile everyone is sitting around finding more problems with this administration, I feel like I’ve seen enough! Don’t need a Perry Mason moment. Just act now!
Report Post »NRABIBLETHUMPER
Posted on November 10, 2010 at 7:06pmIf it was Bush, what would the LIB MEDIA be screaming about??? Is this a High Crime or Misdemeanor? I doubt it but there should probably be some heads rolling for this one? Let’s see if any of the Obamamedia can garner enough fortitude to ask some tough questions?
Disgraceful, I would say that LA and MS should sue the feds over the reduced amount of income from the ban on drilling, but then that would just be more of our tax money or more debt owed to China, huh?
Disgraceful!
Report Post »iwalkalone
Posted on November 11, 2010 at 7:53amBush opposed the miserable failure of fetal stem cell research, he was castigated as being an anti-science moron. The little shaky bastid from Canada testified just before an election how it was keeping him from being healed. What a bunch of losers.
Report Post »powhatan
Posted on November 10, 2010 at 7:05pmLet’s see…Obamacare –you can keep your insurance and it will save money…global warming data was not altered… Fannie and Freddy are in great shape….Obama has a US birth certifictate….printing money will not give us inflation….. Obama did not know Van was a commie..Illegal immigrants don’t cause problems, the border is secure…the stimulus worked…cash for clunkers worked….terrorists are just freedom fighters and jihad is a relative term…..etc..etc..etc..
Report Post »Tri-ox
Posted on November 10, 2010 at 7:05pmWho will notice one more “stain” on the most corrupt White House in U.S. history? Our failed “president” and his nefarious administration must be held responsible for their crimes against this nation.
Report Post »Slobaphobe
Posted on November 10, 2010 at 7:03pmLies. Check this out: USF says government tried to squelch their oil plume findings http://www.tampabay.com/news/environment/article1114225.ece
Report Post »New-American-Saviors
Posted on November 10, 2010 at 7:02pmWE Repeat they Have to GO ! Their actions have gone far enough. Have to Go is a code for Have to go.
Report Post »Barry Soetoro
Posted on November 10, 2010 at 7:00pmWow, that brings back unsettling images of a blue dress. Please don’t do this to me, Michelle will have my shiney Sharia hiney in a vice.
Report Post »Sunnyr
Posted on November 10, 2010 at 6:56pmThis isn‘t the first time these CORRUPT bozo’s have done this type of thing. How much longer are we going to put up with it? Come on, Darrel Issa, you need to use your subpoena power to investigate Comrade Obozo and his gaggle of commie Czar’s. Also, you need to check out that Blackberry he carries next to his heart for messages from the Puppet Master. IMPEACH NOW!
Report Post »JohnnyJT
Posted on November 10, 2010 at 6:54pmDirty Politics as usual.
Report Post »sportlock
Posted on November 10, 2010 at 7:23pmHoooope & Chaaaange lol
Report Post »EP46
Posted on November 10, 2010 at 8:01pmSeveral of the scientist involved appeared on TV when the report came out and said they DID NOT agree with stopping the drilling. They were right out in the open, said their report was changed to fit the agenda of the White House. So why is this being talked about so many months later? The scientists called the crooks on it when it happened.
Report Post »mrclean
Posted on November 10, 2010 at 8:02pmthe filthy lying liars; business/politics as usual in DC
The second they deny-deny-deny any wrong doing, you know they’re guilty
Report Post »RepubliCorp
Posted on November 10, 2010 at 10:34pmYes we can and they did. Obama just want whats best for you. Did you know Obama is a deep water oil rig expert? All knowing, all seeing…..He is the One we have been waiting for.
Report Post »HouseNegro
Posted on November 10, 2010 at 6:54pmEthics ‘Stain’ the whole country is suffering a black eye and dirty undies because of Obama
Report Post »grandmaof5
Posted on November 10, 2010 at 6:54pmRight! And donkeys fly. They edited that report knowingly, just as the global warming statistics were edited, and heads should start rolling starting with Salazar. He either knowingly did it and should be fired, or didn’t know and should be fired for incompetnce. These people are unbelievable!
Report Post »sportlock
Posted on November 10, 2010 at 7:41pmSeems pretty obvious huh? Wow, they do believe we’re THAT dumb. All the proof is right there, except for an e-mail explaining the “trick” to mislead the public. We even had THAT on MMGW and they STILL denied it. lol
But, if one was gonna entertain the thought that there was no intent to mislead…. Wouldn’t you have to ask yourself why the implied deceit always seems to benefit this administration politically?
Report Post »HKS
Posted on November 10, 2010 at 6:53pmWhat else could we expect from this mutant group of social misfits. I can’t believe Americans were stupid enough to elect this mess as leaders, They couldn’t lead a cow to water,
Report Post »workin4alivin
Posted on November 10, 2010 at 7:11pmThey would get a group of govt. scientist to say that the water would shorten the life of the cow in order to drive more people to turn to them for handouts ( i mean help)…
Report Post »Nightstalker
Posted on November 10, 2010 at 7:19pmThe report was obviously edited to fit in with the cap n tax / global warming agenda.
Report Post »They are trying to destroy the economy and the nation.
So this crisis fit in perfectly with there plans.
More lost jobs, more government handouts.
Faster crash of the system!
sportlock
Posted on November 10, 2010 at 7:22pmYeah, but had America not elected a man that Bill Clinton himself said would be “getting his coffee a few years ago” (Libs called him a racist of course) Maybe America wouldn’t have woke up to see what the progressives and Libs are trying to do to this country. Now look at America, no longer silent. That’s why the Libs and Dems call us extreme, because we now have the audacity to speak out.
For that, I do thank Obama!
Report Post »Kaen
Posted on November 10, 2010 at 7:29pmJust another Impeachment charge…falsifying documents…enough is enough, we don’t need to wait until 2012…“terminate” Comrade Obama’s presidency now…
http://thefreeamerica.blogspot.com/
Report Post »CatB
Posted on November 10, 2010 at 7:30pmKNIGHTSTALKER … you have it exactly … they are on a path and the only thing that can stop them is the TRUTH … We must continue to fight the takeover of a great nation by these traitors …
Report Post »neverending
Posted on November 10, 2010 at 7:41pmthey could but they would steal the water before the cows got there. Dirty rotten sob’s
Report Post »pajamash
Posted on November 10, 2010 at 7:45pmNow things are becoming transparent!
Report Post »snowleopard3200 {mix art}
Posted on November 10, 2010 at 8:00pmIt should indeed come as no suprise that the administration would deliberately falsify the information as many of you have stated – for tax and cap; to cause failure of the oil companies, and to further be able to control access to the oil fields. From what I understand of a Sydne Morning Herald report of a few weeks ago, they say the oil field areas being allowed for exploration are already known to have none or nearly no supplies of oil.
So once again Obama spins his lies, the press secretary yes man denies, and Soros villifies via his many cronies. Wonder how much Soros will profit off the selling of oil when the price goes through the roof soon? Imagine how high it would go if a conflict on the oil trade lanes in the gulf occured, such as if america stays longer in the gulf and carries out actions against Iran?
jzs
Posted on November 10, 2010 at 9:44pmSomeone reconstructed the language of the report of to suggest that experts supported the moratorium when in fact they had not. That was a lie and stupid besides. Blame Obama if you want, but I imagine whoever did that doesn’t have a job now. If they do, they should be fired.
But I’ll say this too. When you have one of the worst environmental disasters in the history of the country, and if you don’t step back and say “let’s understand what happened” before continuing with experimental drilling (we’re not talking about functioning wells here folks), then you are derelict as President and should be impeached (with my support). But there’s not one responsible company in the United States that could have a catastrophic incident (Bhopal ring a bell?) and simply continue with the same practices without stopping to examine what went wrong and correct it before starting up again. When people die, when Americans lose jobs because they can’t fish, when tourism in the area grinds to a halt because the beaches are coated with oil and when the environment is devastated, you don’t just say, “Oh well, accidents happen. Carry on.”
Report Post »Marcobob69
Posted on November 10, 2010 at 9:55pm@nightstalker; sounds like Cloward and Pivin to me. Hell, we got the fed monitizing the country’s debt, the progressives don’t need to use Cloward and Pivin. The fed will succeed in bankrupting us.
Report Post »Deda1
Posted on November 11, 2010 at 12:00amThey couldn’t run a hotdog stand and make it profitable, especially at a baseball game.
Report Post »Beckofile
Posted on November 11, 2010 at 11:17pmRemember people ussually deserve their leaders. If you look around on all sides of the tracks in this country you will see social misfits everywhere and we breed them fast in our school system.
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