On April 30, NSPE submitted a public comment to the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) commending the agency for recognizing the critical role of professional engineers in the recently released notice of proposed rulemaking in response to the Deepwater Horizon disaster of 2010. The proposed rule, which has been five years in the making, requires a professional engineer in cementing and casing situations to examine, review, approve and certify changes or remedial measures as part of Blowout Preventer Systems and Well Control, 1014-AA11 (30 CFR Part 250.428 parts (b) and (d)).
NSPE greatly appreciates the BSEE’s recognition of the professional engineer’s important role in protecting the public health, safety, and welfare. NSPE also calls upon BSEE to require in the final rule that “ licensed professional engineers have direct supervision over all engineering design, operations, and maintenance of offshore oil rigs.” Read NSPE’s full comment (PDF). This proposed rule comes only days after the Coast Guard issued an alarming rule that would allow unlicensed, foreign engineers to perform engineering services that should only be performed by a professional engineer in the licensing of deepwater ports. NSPE has responded with a vigorous call to action in opposition. NSPE asserts that this BSEE rule is further evidence as to why the Coast Guard rule should be changed to restore the PE requirement. Learn more.