Drilling czar sees possibility of lifting ban early

The nation's top drilling regulator Tuesday raised the possibility that the Obama administration could lift its deep-water exploration ban before it expires in November — if the industry boosts its ability to clean up and contain oil spills. "I think it's everybody's hope that we will feel comfortable enough that the moratorium can be lifted significantly in advance of Nov. 30," said Michael Bromwich, the newly tapped director of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management Regulation and Enforcement - formerly the Minerals Management Service. Bromwich is embarking today on an eight-city listening tour with public meetings designed to shed light on drilling and workplace safety, spill containment and disaster response technology...more