Senate bill would slow revolving door on former regulators working for oil, gas industry

Senate bill restricts Interior moves to industry

WASHINGTON — A bill endorsed by a Senate panel would slow the revolving door between the Interior Department and the oil and gas industry.

A recent report by the department’s inspector general said that its drilling regulators have been so close to the industry that they’ve accepted gifts from oil and gas companies and even negotiated to go work for the companies.

A bill approved Wednesday by the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee bans Interior Department employees involved in offshore drilling from going to work for the oil and gas industry for one year.

Similarly, former oil and gas employees who join the government could not oversee matters relating to their former employer or client for one year.