Oregon Public Broadcasting

Former Idaho Governor Dirk Kempthorne is defending the Bush administration's record on offshore drilling. He told two U.S. House subcommittees Tuesday that no one expected an oil spill of the magnitude that's fouled the Gulf of Mexico.

Kempthorne served as President Bush's last Interior secretary.

Democrats blame Bush administration policies they say allowed BP to bypass federal environmental safety rules.

Republicans argue the Obama administration was responsible because it issued the permit for the well that has spewed millions of gallons of oil. 

Kempthorne said the blame should be shared.

Dirk Kempthorne: "Was it the regulations that, for 40 years or a number of years, were on the books and we did not see this catastrophe? Or was it decisions made, human decisions made, in the implementation after the application for the drilling permit was granted?"

Kempthorne said, under his watch, the Interior Department developed a five-year plan for offshore oil drilling. It's a plan that was approved by Congress.

He said the Bush administration also increased royalties paid by companies that drill in the Gulf.