The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management manages oil and gas exploration and leasing on 30 million underwater acres — part of the outer continental shelf, under U.S. jurisdiction, where drilling and extraction take place. The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement enforces regulations for offshore oil and gas rigs, oversees oil spill response and conducts research on oil spills. Both agencies are part of the Department of the Interior. In 2016, BOEM’s budget was $170.9 million with approximately 574 employees, while BSEE’s was $204.7 million with 881 employees.

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Anna V. Smith is an associate editor of High Country News. She writes and edits stories on tribal sovereignty and environmental justice for the Indigenous Affairs desk from Oregon.