Author: H. Josef Hebert
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Emerging oil rig evidence shows lack of regulation
WASHINGTON — The first firm evidence of what likely caused the disastrous Gulf of Mexico oil blowout — a devastating sequence of equipment failures — drives home a central unsettling point about America’s oil industry: key safety features at thousands of U.S. offshore wells are barely regulated. Wednesday’s hearings by congressional and administration panels —…
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Salazar vows review of Interior scandals
WASHINGTON – Interior Secretary Ken Salazar is calling for a top-to-bottom review of ethical misconduct and reforms at the Interior Department, raising the possibility that investigations closed by the Bush administration may be reopened.Appearing at the White House, Salazar told reporters Wednesday the department over the last eight years “has been tarnished by ethical lapses…
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House OKs measures to curb oil speculation
WASHINGTON • Ignoring a presidential veto threat, the House on Thursday approved measures aimed at curbing speculation in oil and other commodity markets. It said federal regulators don’t have the tools or enough people to track abuses. The bill, passed by a vote of 283-133 and sent to the Senate, is aimed at certain hedge-fund…