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Alabama and Louisiana may sue the oil company under general maritime law for punitive damage, negligence and product liability, but not for civil penalties under the Outer Continental Shelf Act as that is governed by federal law. Reuters/US Coast Guard handout

The U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement (BOEMRE) will conduct a recruitment drive across ten universities in the country with the objective of spotting talent with environmental or related sciences background to meet the Bureau's demand for manpower in the wake of a comprehensive reorganization and regulatory overhaul following the Deepwater Horizon incident.

This was announced by BOEMRE Director Michael R. Bromwich, during his keynote address at the Bureau's Information Transfer Meeting (ITM) in New Orleans - a forum for the sharing of results, methodologies, and ideas related to environmental studies. Scientists and researchers present, discuss and share their findings in support of and funded in part by the Bureau's environmental studies program at the annual meet.

While discussing the various measures taken as part of the reform agenda post the 2010 Deepwater Horizon explosion and Gulf of Mexico oil spill, Bromwich affirmed a renewed commitment to develop thorough, credible and unfiltered scientific data, which would now play a more critical role in the Bureau's decision making.

This has resulted in a greater need for skilled human resources - those competent to conduct scientific studies, complete National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) reviews, and fill important positions in environmental compliance.

Thus, the Bureau would conduct a recruitment tour, starting the week of April 4 and continuing through May, focusing on some of the nation's best environmental programs located in universities across the country. The Director himself would be personally visiting schools along the West Coast, in the Midwest, Northeast, and Gulf of Mexico regions, including Louisiana State University.

We will discuss not only the current opportunities for scientists in the bureau, but also the exciting new positions within the office of the Chief Environmental Officer and positions in our new Environmental Compliance unit, said Bromwich, adding that the recruitment efforts would bolster resources and ensure that the focus on science and fundamental reforms are lasting and effective.

The complete list of schools to be visited and the schedules are expected to be released shortly.

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