New Drill on Ethics

In the wake of the BP oil spill and numerous investigations of conflicts of interest involving federal employees who regulate the oil and gas industry, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement has issued new ethics regulations, the Houston Chronicle reports.

Among the rules:

• For at least two years, employees cannot perform inspections or other work involving former employers in the industry.
• Employees also may not perform inspections or other official duties on companies employing a family member or close personal friend.
• Employees must tell supervisors about any potential conflicts of interest and ask not to be assigned to particular types of work if it involves a conflict.

BOEMRE Director (and former Justice Department inspector general) Michael Bromwich announced the new rules in an e-mail to employees Monday. The regulations take effect immediately.