Gibbs: Obama will propose separation of agency's royalty collection, energy regulatory functions

President Obama will ask Congress to restructure the Minerals Management Service, separating its royalty-collection function from its regulatory responsibilities.

That's according to White House press secretary Robert Gibbs, who said on Twitter this morning that Interior secretary Ken Salazar will announce the proposal today.

The Department of Interior's former inspector general, Earl Devaney, suggested that MMS' duties be split up since the 2008 ethics scandal involving the agency came to light.

More details to follow.