On Capitol Steps, Groups Rally Against Offshore Drilling

<!–
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";}
a:link, span.MsoHyperlink
{color:blue;
text-decoration:underline;
text-underline:single;}
a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed
{color:purple;
text-decoration:underline;
text-underline:single;}
@page Section1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.Section1
{page:Section1;}
–>

House
GOP leaders were caught off guard by conservationists who rallied to oppose
drilling for oil.

 According to news reports, between 130 and 200 activists
gathered at the foot of the marble Capitol steps to protest a new Republican
energy package that calls for drilling offshore and in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

Under heavy grey skies, about 70 House Republicans strolled
down the steps and were met by members of staff, the press, and numerous
environmental groups holding signs and wearing endangered animal costumes. The
protest was organized by the League of Conservation Voters, the National
Resources Defense Council and other groups.

Drilling on the outer continental shelf and in the Arctic
will have little, if any, impact on gas prices: in the last eight years, oil
and gas drilling on America’s
public lands has increased by 260 percent while the price of gas has more than
doubled. Drilling for more oil is simply
not the answer.