Spill Panel's Chairman Says His Push for Cuba Talks Irked Obama Admin

"The Obama administration is pushing back against plans by its oil spill commission co-chairman to spread his message about offshore drilling reforms to Cuba, the panel leader said today.

William Reilly, the co-chairman of the presidential panel that made a series of recommendations earlier this year to improve offshore drilling safety and regulation after the BP PLC oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico last summer, has already helped convinced Mexican drilling regulators to adopt U.S. regulatory structures.

But he said he has had his "wrist slapped" by the Obama administration for his plans to discuss reform with Cuba, with which the United States has had no diplomatic relations since 1961."

Katie Howell reports for Greenwire May 16, 2011.

Source: Greenwire, 05/17/2011