Kenneth Lee Salazar

“ So in addition to reviewing the cases of those individuals, we will examine a fundamental restructuring of MMS’s royalty program so that taxpayers get their fair share from the development of natural resources, like oil and natural gas, on our public lands. Last year, this office alone collected $23 billion on behalf of the American taxpayer. All ideas for reform will be on the table. We need a system that delivers a fair value to the taxpayer, is straightforward and transparent, and is less vulnerable to the type of abuses we have seen. ”

“ To the extent there was any confusion about applicable government ethics standards or guidance, the Code of Conduct clarifies the ethics standards to which all employees are bound. There will be no exceptions. ”

“ This review will build on President Obama’s order to the Office of Government Ethics to develop rules and regulations consistent with the ethics pledge for all Executive Branch employees, where applicable. I have met with and directed the Designated Agency Ethics Official to review our Departmental specific regulations and recommend areas where we can improve on our own ethical policies and guidance. The Department of the Interior will raise the bar for ethics, and we will set the standard for reform. ”