BSEE, USCG sign spill response MOU

The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement, or BSEE, and the U.S. Coast Guard have signed a memorandum of agreement spelling out the roles and responsibilities of the two organizations in oil spill planning, preparedness and response for operations in the U.S. offshore.

Under federal statutes and regulations BSEE is responsible for the safety and environmental oversight of offshore operations, including the review and approval of oil spill response plans developed by offshore operators. The U.S. Coast Guard on the other hand leads community oil spill planning efforts at regional and local levels, and becomes federal on scene commander if an oil spill occurs.

The new agreement specifies the responsibilities and jurisdictions of the two organizations and incorporates lessons learned from the Deepwater Horizon disaster in the Gulf of Mexico. Under the agreement, in the event of an oil spill BSEE will have primary responsibility for the oversight of efforts to bring the source of the spill under control, while the Coast Guard will have primary responsibility for spill mitigation and oil recovery.

The agreement also indicates which oil spill response-related functions, such as response planning, each organization will be involved in.

“Recent events have taught us the value of developing strong partnerships with our federal partners,” said BSEE Deputy Director Margaret Schneider. “This agreement with the Coast Guard allows us to continue this close working relationship, strengthening our coordinated efforts to protect the environment and workers offshore each and every day.”

“The complexity of the offshore energy segment requires us to build federal partnerships that will improve safety and environmental protection in the offshore environment,” said RDML Cari Thomas, U.S. Coast Guard director of response policy. “This MOA clearly establishes a strong framework of capabilities that protects America’s economic interests and those that work in the offshore environment.”

—Alan Bailey