Senate denies Big Oil offshore drilling giveaway

Defenders welcomes prudent offshore drilling decision

WASHINGTON (05/18/2011) -

The Senate today struck down a bill proposed by Senator McConnell (S. 953) in a decisive vote of 57-42. The following is a statement from Jamie Rappaport Clark, executive vice president of Defenders of Wildlife:

“The defeat of Sen. McConnell’s misguided offshore drilling bill is a refreshing show of prudence and rationality from Capitol Hill. In the wake of the BP Deepwater Horizon disaster, passing a bill that recklessly expands oil drilling, fast-tracks oil permits and undermines environmental review and legal oversight of the oil industry would have added insult to injury. It is encouraging to see Senate champions stand up to the Big Oil lobby machine and vote instead for the safety of American people and wildlife.”

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See how Defenders is working to stop reckless and dangerous drilling off of America's coasts.

Contact(s):

Caitlin Leutwiler, (202) 772-3226; cleutwiler@defenders.org

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