According to the New York Times Caucus blog, the Obama administration announced on Tuesday that it is immediately lifting a moratorium on deep-water drilling that was imposed after the BP oil spill, as new rules are put in place that are intended to prevent another such disaster. Since the original ban, the White House has come under intense pressure from the oil and gas industry and from regional officials and businesses, complaining about the economic impact of the decision. Secretary Ken Salazar believes with this progress in creating new standards for drilling, the suspension may be lifted.
