Oil Drilling Prompts Al Gore's First Public Split on Climate with President Obama

[IndianaGreen]

Published on Friday, April 9, 2010 by The Hill

Oil Drilling Prompts Al Gore's First Public Split on Climate with President Obama

by Russell Berman

President Barack Obama's decision to allow expanded offshore oil drilling prompted the first public criticism of his administration from Al Gore's environmental advocacy group, the Alliance for Climate Protection.

The organization, which the former vice president founded and chairs, put out a statement last week opposing the new policy.

The statement is significant because it marks Gore's first break with Obama on his signature policy issue, nearly two years after Gore's enthusiastic endorsement gave the Illinois senator a jolt of momentum following the divisive Democratic presidential primary.

Gore and the Alliance have appeared to avoid direct criticism of the president in the past when they've had disagreements, and have often cheered on the administration.

When Obama announced a plan to back construction of new nuclear power plants, another move denounced by environmental groups, Gore's group remained silent.

On the oil drilling announcement, however, the Alliance made its opposition clear.

http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2010/04/09-1

[ProSense]

1. Alliance for Climate Protection statements

Statement by Alliance for Climate Protection President and CEO Maggie L. Fox on President Obama’s Energy Security Announcement

Washington, DC – Alliance for Climate Protection President and CEO Maggie L. Fox today issued the following statement on President Obama’s energy security announcement today at Andrews Air Force Base:

“This plan continues our reliance on dirty fossil fuels – we cannot simply drill our way to energy security. Americans are demanding a clean energy future that goes beyond drilling and incentivizes the technologies that are critical to building a 21st-century clean energy economy. What we need now is presidential leadership that drives comprehensive clean energy and climate legislation that caps harmful carbon pollution, puts America back to work, ends our reliance on foreign oil and keeps us safe.”

STATEMENT BY ALLIANCE FOR CLIMATE PROTECTION PRESIDENT AND CEO MAGGIE L. FOX ON CLEAN CARS RULE

Washington, DC – Alliance for Climate Protection President and CEO Maggie L. Fox today issued the following statement on today’s announcement that sets national standards for fuel economy and the first ever greenhouse gas emission levels for cars:

“The new clean cars rule announced today by the Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Transportation sets us firmly on the path toward true energy independence, ending our reliance on foreign oil. Coupled with new fuel efficiency standards, these efforts will mean cleaner, more efficient vehicles that emit less pollution, and savings at the pump for America’s families. This national program is projected to reduce carbon emissions by 950 million metric tons, the equivalent of removing more than 179 millions cars from the road. With today’s historic announcement, for the first time the Clean Air Act will regulate the dangerous carbon pollution causing the climate crisis.”