Margaret N. Schneider will serve as the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement deputy director, James A. Watson announced today.
Schneider has been serving as the senior advisor to the BSEE director and also assisted with policy reviews and managed special projects. Prior to working with the BSEE, she spent 30 years in the Environmental Protection Agency in various offices.
In her new role, Schneider will assist Watson with the enforcement of safety and environmental regulations. She will be responsible for all field operations, including permitting and research, inspections, offshore regulatory programs, oil spill response, and newly formed training and environmental compliance functions.
“Margaret has been working tirelessly behind the scenes to help us develop BSEE into a model offshore regulator,” said Director Watson. “There will be no shortage of challenges ahead for BSEE, but I’m pleased to have someone of Margaret’s character, experience and vision as we move ahead in enforcing safety and environmental protection for offshore oil and gas operations.”
Bob LaBelle, who had been serving as the Acting Deputy Director since October 1, 2010, will now become Science Advisor at the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management.
Schneider is a graduate of Barnard College of Columbia University and holds a Masters Degree in Environmental Management from Yale University and a Law degree from Georgetown University.
