Former Jindal official appointed to key offshore energy post – Washington Examiner

A former Louisiana state official with ties to former Gov. Bobby Jindal was appointed Monday to lead the Interior Department's top safety agency for offshore oil and natural gas drilling.

Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke announced that Scott Angelle will lead the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement. Angelle was recently the vice chairman of the Louisiana state utility and public service regulator, with plenty of experience overseeing the Gulf Coast state's enormous energy industry. He was appointed by Jindal to serve as the state's liaison to Washington for the 2010 BP oil spill that killed nearly a dozen workers and led to the creation of the agency he will now head.

Angelle will jump into his role immediately, with his first day on the job being Tuesday, the agency said.

"Scott Angelle brings a wealth of experience to BSEE, having spent many years working for the safe and efficient energy production of both Louisiana's and our country's offshore resources," Zinke said. "As we set our path towards energy dominance, I am confident that Scott has the expertise, vision and the leadership necessary to effectively enhance our program, and to promote the safe and environmentally responsible exploration, development and production of our country's offshore oil and gas resources."

Angelle's post will be critical to expanding drilling under President Trump's offshore energy policy and recently signed an executive order directing Zinke to expand energy exploration off the Arctic and Atlantic coasts.

Zinke still has to fill the top position at the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, which is the complimentary agency to BSEE, also created in the wake of the BP disaster. Zinke has the authority to choose the directors of both bureaus without the president having to nominate them. Both will be needed to achieve the president's offshore energy goals.

The energy industry applauded Zinke's choice. "Angelle's unique combination of political acumen, experience and knowledge of the offshore industry make him an excellent choice to lead BSEE," said National Ocean Industries Association President Randall Luthi.

Luthi added that "he will no doubt add some Cajun spice to the BSEE hallway at the Main Interior Building in Washington, D.C."

Angelle said he welcomed an opportunity to serve Trump and Zinke, "and work with BSEE staff to meet the critical goal of energy dominance for our country."

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Former Jindal official appointed to key offshore energy post - Washington Examiner