Call to Save Colorado’s Western Slope from the Oil Industry:
Stop Scott “McLobbyist” McInnis from selling out the Western Slope
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, February 26, 2007
CONTACT: Michael Huttner (303) 931-4547
Denver: ProgressNowAction launched a new online campaign to save Colorado’s Western Slope from the expansion of massive oil drilling led by the Canadian oil company EnCana and its lobbyist, ex-Congressman Scott McInnis.
“We call on the public to join our citizens’ campaign to oppose efforts by EnCana and its lobbyist Scott McInnis that threaten the Western Slope’s land and private property rights,” stated Michael Huttner, Executive Director of ProgressNowAction.
The Roan Plateau stretches from Rifle to Parachute and is home to thousands of acres of wilderness. It has long been a state treasure for hunting, fishing and families who value private property rights. Leases for drilling an unprecedented number of wells in the Plateau could be put up for sale as early as this November.(Denver Post, 2/23/2007)
McInnis' lobbying client, EnCana, is Leading the charge by the oil industry and is likely to be first in line to snap up this land for its own drilling. (Rocky Mountain News, 11/18/2006)
“It’s the height of hypocrisy. McInnis has tried to cast himself publicly as the small-town Western Slope boy, and now he's leading the lobbying efforts of a foreign oil company that is selling out hunters, conservationists, and families concerned about private property rights in the Western Slope,” added Huttner. “We call for Scott “McLobbyist” McInnis to stop selling out the people of the Western Slope to the oil industry.”
Last Thursday local officials, conservationists, and Coloradans concerned about their private property rights gathered in Glenwood Springs to urge Congress to protect the nearby Roan Plateau from oil and gas drilling.
ProgressNowAction begin its campaign today by launching an online petition to over 50,000 people statewide, including voters living in the Western Slope. To join the call to oppose efforts by EnCana and Scott “McLobbyist” McInnis to expand drilling in the Roan Plateau, go to www.ProgressNowAction.org/StopMcLobbyist.
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