Press Statement

Statement of Carol M. Browner

Administrator of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 1993-2001

Senator John McCain’s "straight talk" to a group of oil executives today is yet another example of old-style, short-term politics, at the expense of real, long-term energy solutions. While McCain’s offshore drilling proposal is a dream come true for the big oil companies, Americans would not see any oil or any reduction in gas prices until late in a second John McCain term. What McCain’s drilling plan would do is threaten our coasts and the millions of jobs that depend on clean beaches and water.

Even if Florida blocked drilling off its shores, its beaches would still be vulnerable to oil spills in the waters of adjacent states.