An estimated $60 million in early restoration projects soon will begin along the Gulf Coast following the nation’s largest oil spill, the Deepwater Horizon Natural Resource Damage Assessment Trustee Council announced today. Read More >

Interior Secretary Ken Salazar today announced the next steps toward energy exploration activities in shallow waters in the Arctic during a limited period this summer. Read More >

Secretary Salazar announced the creation of a specialized scientific group that will develop future scenarios and provide rapid, interdisciplinary scientific assessments during environmental crises or disasters affecting America’s natural resources. Read More >

Secretary Salazar released the following statement on the Gulf Coast Task Force’s submission of a preliminary strategy for Gulf Coast ecosystem restoration for public review. Read More >

Dr. Paul Hsieh, research hydrologist for the Interior Department’s U.S. Geological Survey, has earned the Federal Employee of the Year Medal for providing critical scientific information during the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Read More >

In support of President Obama’s strategy to spur domestic energy production on public lands, Interior Secretary Salazar today announced that Interior would accelerate a lease sale in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska... Read More >

Under an unprecedented agreement announced by the Natural Resource Trustees for the Deepwater Horizon oil spill (Trustees), BP has agreed to provide $1 billion toward early restoration projects in the Gulf of Mexico. Read More >

Secretary Salazar today urged the members of the OESC to work together to help strengthen the nation’s offshore drilling safety, well containment, and spill response as we explore new energy frontiers. Read More >

Secretary of the Interior Salazar today announced he is convening ministers and senior government officials from nations engaged in offshore oil and gas extraction to discuss development of technologies for containing potential deepwater well blowouts. Read More >

Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar and Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement (BOEMRE) Director Michael R. Bromwich today announced that the bureau has approved an Exploration Plan, submitted by Shell Offshore Inc. Read More >

The U.S. scientific teams charged with determining the oil discharge rate of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill have completed a peer-reviewed report that assesses the methodologies to determine each technique’s strengths and limitations. Read More >

NOAA and the Department of the Interior (DOI) today announced plans to develop a Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) in cooperation with state co-trustees as part of the ongoing Natural Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA). Read More >

Interior Secretary Salazar and BOEMRE Director Bromwich today announced the structures and responsibilities of two new, independent agencies that will carry out the offshore energy management and enforcement functions once assigned to the former MMS. Read More >

As we enter the new year, we thought it would be appropriate to take a look back at 2010, when we faced unprecedented challenges and reached even greater triumphs. Here, we’ve put together some of the best photos that highlight this work. View Gallery >

Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar, Assistant Secretary Tom Strickland, and Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement Director Michael R. Bromwich discussed reforms for operations on the Outer Continental Shelf. Read More >

Interior Secretary Ken Salazar and Bureau of Director of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement (BOEMRE) Michael R. Bromwich announce an important step in continued efforts to ensure oil and gas producers operate responsibly. Read More >

Today, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar spoke at the Solar Power International 2010 Conference and Exhibition in Los Angeles, California. Read More >

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National Incident Commander Admiral Thad Allen and Assistant to the President for Energy and Climate Change Policy Carol Browner reiterated the administration’s commitment to long-term recovery in the Gulf Coast. Read More >

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Development Driller III has drilled the first relief well to a depth of 17,864 feet below the Gulf surface and Development Driller II has drilled the second relief well. Read More >

Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar visited three offshore drilling rigs in the Gulf of Mexico today, where he received updates on the improved inspection process and additional safety requirements for blowout preventers and well construction. Read More >

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The research vessel Geco Topaz is conducting seismic surveys of the seafloor around the wellhead, and the NOAA Ship Gordon Gunter is conducting acoustic surveys to ensure the integrity of the wellhead and search for and respond to anomalies. Read More >

National Incident Commander Admiral Thad Allen provided a briefing to inform the American public and answer questions on the administration-wide response to the BP oil spill. Read More >

In his second trip to the Gulf Coast since the BP oil spill began, Vice President Joe Biden joined National Incident Commander Admiral Thad Allen in Theodore, Ala. Read More >

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President Obama met with cabinet Secretaries including Interior Secretary Ken Salazar and other senior White House officials to receive a briefing on the administration-wide response to the Deepwater BP Oil Spill. Read More >

This morning, the President spoke on the news from the Gulf, emphasizing that while there may be good news, the work is not done containing the leak, and will not be until the relief wells are finished and functioning. Read More >

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BP began conducting the well integrity test, which is being closely monitored by the federal government. Read More >

Interior’s chief oil and gas regulatory official has informed BP that it must report all oil and gas-related activities at the damaged Macondo well and pay royalties on all oil and gas captured from the leaking well. Read More >

This afternoon, President Obama received an update by phone from top administration officials involved in the response to the BP oil spill, including National Incident Commander Admiral Thad Allen and Interior Secretary Ken Salazar. Read More >

Following significant progress made by BP on its “capping stack” procedure—designed to capture even greater quantities of oil than the previous containment system—Admiral Allen released a statement on the preparations for the well integrity test. Read More >

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At the Administration’s direction, BP continues its “capping stack” procedure—designed to capture even greater quantities of oil than the current “top hat” system. Read More >

National Incident Commander Admiral Allen discussed progress being made in connecting the Helix Producer to the floating riser pipe, weather in the Gulf and potential impacts on cleanup operations, and plans to replace the current containment cap. Read More >

President Obama and Vice President Biden received a briefing today from National Incident Commander Admiral Allen and other senior administration officials on the BP oil spill. Read More >

President Obama sent a memorandum to the heads of Executive Departments and Agencies regarding the Long-Term Gulf Coast Restoration Support Plan—outlining ways in which Navy Secretary Mabus will coordinate with leaders across the administration. Read More >

Vice President Joe Biden visited New Orleans and Pensacola, Fla., to survey the response efforts, visit with Gulf Coast residents impacted by the spill, and meet with area officials. Read More >

Under the direction of the federal government, BP continues to capture some oil and burn gas at the surface using its containment dome technique—collecting oil aboard the Discoverer Enterprise. Read More >

Assistant to the President for Energy and Climate Change Carol Browner met with BP executives Bob Dudley, Lamar McKay, David Nagel and Karen St. John to discuss a number of key issues. Read More >

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Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar today swore-in former Justice Department Inspector General Michael Bromwich to oversee the fundamental restructuring of the former Minerals Management Service. Read More >

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National Incident Commander Admiral Thad Allen provided a briefing by teleconference to inform the American public and answer questions on the progress of the administration-wide response to the BP oil spill. Read More >

Incident Commander Admiral Thad Allen provided a briefing by teleconference to inform the American public and answer questions on the progress of the administration-wide response to the BP oil spill. Read More >

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Interior Secretary Ken Salazar visited one of the dual drilling platforms that are making progress in drilling the relief wells to permanently stop the flow of leaking oil from BP’s deep underwater well. Read More >

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National Incident Commander Admiral Thad Allen provided a briefing to inform the American public and answer questions on the progress of the administration-wide response to the BP oil spill. Read More >

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President Barack Obama met and had individual discussions with family members of the victims of the Deepwater Horizon oil rig disaster. He was joined by Secretary Ken Salazar, Carol Browner, Valerie Jarrett and Admiral Thad Allen. Read More >

At the President’s direction, Admiral Thad Allen today met with top BP claims officials to assert the administration's oversight of BP's claims process in order to ensure that every legitimate claim is honored and paid in an efficient manner. Read More >

President Barack Obama will make his fourth trip to the Gulf Coast—traveling to Mississippi, Alabama and Florida to further assess the latest efforts to counter the BP oil spill. Read More >

President Obama met with members of his cabinet and other top U.S. government officials involved in the ongoing administration-wide response to the BP oil spill in the Cabinet Room at the White House. Read More >

The Obama administration sent a preliminary bill for $69.09 million to BP and other responsible parties for response and recovery operations relating to the BP/Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill. Read More >

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At the direction of President Obama, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar continued his eighth trip to the Gulf region Secretary Salazar met with top BP officials, federal personnel and government scientists in Houston. Read More >

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The President updated the American people on the status of the BP oil spill. The President said the federal government is directing the effort to contain and cleanup the damage from the spill, now the largest effort of its kind in U.S. history. Read More >

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President Obama announced that he will travel to the Louisiana Gulf Coast to assess the latest efforts to counter the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Read More >

Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar and Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano view Deepwater Horizon spill from the air, meet with Senators and state officials. Read More >

Secretary Napolitano today announced that U.S. Coast Guard Admiral Thad Allen has agreed to remain in his current role as National Incident Commander for the administration’s continued, coordinated response to the Deepwater BP Oil Spill. Read More >

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President Obama again urged Congress to act quickly on a legislative package that will enable the Deepwater BP Oil Spill response to continue expeditiously, speed assistance, and strengthen and update the oil spill liability system. Read More >

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Secretary Napolitano and Secretary Salazar sent a letter to BP CEO Tony Hayward publicly holding BP’s feet to fire. As the President said yesterday, this administration is committed to ensuring that those affected are compensated. Read More >

The President met with members of his Cabinet and other senior administration officials to determine next steps in the ongoing effort to stop the BP oil spill, contain its spread, and help affected communities. Read More >

Secretary Salazar has directed Assistant Secretary for Policy, Management and Budget Rhea Suh and Senior Advisor Chris Henderson to oversee a restructuring of the MMS to ensure independence of the agency’s inspections & enforcement mission. Read More >

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Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar announced safety and environmental oversight reforms that include a restructuring of the Minerals Management Service. The podcast features his remarks from today's press conference. Read More >

President Obama meets in the Situation Room to review BP's response to Oil Spill as Secretary Salazar dispatches BLM Director to Gulf Coast. Read More >

The Director of the National Park Service Jon Jarvis and Acting Director of the Fish and Wildlife Service Rowan Gould are going to command centers along the Gulf Coast to help protect coastal communities and natural resources from oil spill. Read More >

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Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar traveled to the Gulf where he inspected a four-story cofferdam that was later towed to damaged wellhead and made an aerial survey of containment and cleanup efforts underway on Gulf waters. Read More >

Homeland Security Secretary Napolitano, Interior Secretary Salazar, EPA Administrator Jackson and Energy Secretary Chu today met with BP's CEO, American Chairman and President to discuss ongoing, coordinated response efforts. Read More >

A running order-of-events for the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Read More >

Interior establishes a resource page for continued information on the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Read More >

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