Today, John McCain is going to give a speech on his energy plan in Houston, home to the top oil companies, as the top recipient of $723,777 in contributions from oil- and gas-industry employees and political-action committees.
WASHINGTON — Republican presidential candidate John McCain, seeking to make amends with Texas energy producers who did not support him during the 2008 GOP primary season, said Monday that he wants to end a federal moratorium on offshore drilling and create "additional incentives" for states to approve new exploration ventures.
"We must embark on a national mission to end our dependence on foreign oil and reduce greenhouse gases through the development of alternate energy sources," the Arizona senator said in Arlington, Va., before departing for Texas.
And the oil lobby interests is taking notice of John McCain's recent policy shift towards them:
Preview of Houston speech
One energy lobbyist said McCain has become more accommodating to oil and gas needs.
"In recent months, John McCain has expressed far more pragmatism in his positioning on energy issues," said Scott Segal, who heads the Washington office of Bracewell & Giuliani. "One example I would give: He is increasingly stating support for nuclear power" to deal with climate change.
And the environmentalists are noticing how John McCain's support of offshore drilling is undermining his own position on global warming:
"John McCain stood head and shoulders above his (GOP) rivals on global warming," said David Sandretti, spokesman for the League of Conservation Voters. But he said his latest proposal is "undercutting that position."
Obama opposes an end to the offshore moratorium, a spokesman said. Hari Sevugan said McCain's "plan to simply drill our way out of our energy crisis is the same misguided approach backed by President Bush that has failed our families for too long and only serves to benefit the big oil companies."
And that's change we can't afford for our environment!
Edit: McCain just released a new ad on global warming:
