Earth Equity News

Enviro Groups Come Down on Both Sides of Drilling Divide. By Mary Ann Akers And Paul Kane, WashPost, September 18, 2008. "The usually united environmentalist front has begun to show some cracks [over offshore drilling]... Those who supported the Democratic legislation are viewed on and off Capitol Hill as the pragmatic allies of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.). Chief among them is the Center for American Progress, a liberal think tank founded by former Clinton White House chief of staff John Podesta. Its energy experts have been among the sources of the anti-drilling argument. But when push came to shove this week, CAP sent out an action alert urging a yes vote... Also falling into that category was the Sierra Club, an elder statesman among environmental groups... The purists who bemoaned Pelosi's legislation were led by Environment America, formed in 2007 as a collection of groups, including those formerly associated with various state Public Interest Research Groups. Environment America left no doubt where it stands: 'Increased offshore oil drilling would threaten our beloved coasts and beaches with chronic pollution and potentially catastrophic spills while doing little to increase our energy supply and nothing to help Americans deal with energy costs.' And once Pelosi added more drilling in the oil shale of the Mountain West to her bill, the National Wildlife Federation joined [Environment America and U.S. PIRG in opposing the bill]."