Gulf Coast Oil Spill

Administration Lifts Drilling Moratorium; Landrieu Won't Lift Hold

Rachel Slajda | October 12, 2010, 2:26PM

Interior Secretary Ken Salazar

The Obama administration announced today that it is lifting the moratorium on deepwater drilling in the Gulf of Mexico.

But Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-LA), who has been holding the nomination of a new director for the Office of Management and Budget in protest of the moratorium, said she will not release her hold.

Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, who announced the early end to the moratorium today, said that oil companies who comply with new, stricter safety rules will be able to apply for permits.

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