Three explanations I heard on why MMS did not enforce safety regulations.

1)   MMS, by taxing the oil and gas industries, has been the #2 source of all income for the government, after the IRS.   So there is huge pressure to sign off on industry ideas---to maximize income for the government.

2) In drilling and maintaining deep-water wells, industry has the expertise; the MMS did not. So they deferred.

3)   The revolving door.

At least with the splitting of the two MMS functions, #1 may be addressed.

Still the revolving door must be slowed, if not blocked.

But obviously with the huge deficits facing the government, the pressure for income will continue, to say the least.   Somebody will have to ride herd on the taxing function of the former MMS.   

And against the pressure for income, good luck.