By Darren Goode Sen. Joe Lieberman, I/D-Conn., said today offshore oil and gas drilling provisions will remain in a draft Senate climate and energy bill he has coauthored, despite a massive Gulf Coast spill that has given fresh ammunition to drilling critics. “There were good reasons for us to put in offshore drilling, and this terrible accident is very rare in drilling,” Lieberman said. “I mean, accidents happen. You learn from them and you try not to make sure they don’t happen again.” When asked whether the spill would change any of the drilling language he and Sens. John Kerry, D-Mass., and Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., have developed, Lieberman said, “I don’t think so; certainly not to lead us to remove it.” He said the draft would allow drilling as close as 75 miles from the U.S. coastline. Lieberman said the goal of their plan is less dependence on foreign oil and fossil fuels in general, adding that the bill ensures greater environmental protection regarding drilling than current law. “I think the arguments are there,” he said. But the gulf spill has energized drilling opponents, who say expanding offshore drilling will kill climate legislation. “This legislation’s not going anywhere” if it includes drilling off the coast of the continental United States, said Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla. He promised to filibuster the bill if it does. Offshore drilling was added to the draft Senate plan to draw support from Republicans and some Democrats and is seen as essential to ensuring 60 votes. Drilling critics argue that the spill will shore up enough support for trying to move away from oil as much as possible. “I would like to think that instead of hurting climate change, this spill should act as a rallying cry for comprehensive climate and energy legislation,” said Sen. Robert Menendez, D-N.J. …
Lieberman: Drilling Still Part Of Energy Bill
