Judge bars press from oil-drilling permit hearing

Not every hearing related to offshore drilling is getting the media scrutiny of this week’s presidential oil-spill commission hearing.

That’s because a Louisiana federal judge has closed a hearing on industry allegations that the Interior Department is withholding deepwater drilling permits.

The Associated Press reports from New Orleans:

“A federal judge on Tuesday barred news organizations from a conference over a company's claim that the government has not yet issued a single permit to allow offshore drilling even though a moratorium was lifted in October.”

“U.S. District Judge Martin Feldman said the hearing would be held in his chambers. He said news organizations had no right to attend.”

Industry groups and other critics allege there is still a de facto ban in place, even though the formal deepwater limits were removed last month.

But the AP story notes that federal officials are defending their beefed-up reviews of deepwater permitting. Here’s more from their piece:

“Ensco Offshore claims that since the ban was lifted Oct. 12, the government has not issued a single permit that would allow the resumption of any previously suspended drilling activities.”

“The government doesn't seem to dispute that allegation, saying in a late Monday filing that it must ensure applications meet regulations toughened after the Gulf of Mexico oil spill.”