Salazar, senior Interior officies to testify before spill commission

Senior Interior Department officials Monday will testify before a commission investigating the Gulf of Mexico oil spill, the department announced Friday.

Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, Deputy Interior Secretary David Hayes and Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement Director Michael Bromwich will testify before the National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling.

“They will discuss the Department’s response to the spill, the ongoing comprehensive reform of the offshore oil and gas regulatory framework and environmental recovery efforts in the Gulf of Mexico,” according to an advisory issued by the department.

The members of the commission – appointed by President Obama – will issue recommendations to update federal oversight and safety requirements for offshore oil and gas drilling in the wake of the Gulf spill.

In the meantime, the department has banned further deepwater oil and gas drilling, a controversial move that has earned pushback from oil-state lawmakers in both parties.

Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-La.) Thursday announced she’s placing a “hold” – which means blocking a floor vote – on Senate confirmation of Jacob Lew to head the White House Office of Management and Budget.

Landrieu is demanding that the Obama administration lift or ease the federal freeze on deepwater drilling, and speed up permits for shallow water projects.