Schweitzer Ditches Joint MT-Exxon Spill Command Post - Exxon Wouldn't Allow State Employees To Talk

[hatrack]

BILLINGS, Mont. — The state of Montana has cut its ties to a joint Exxon Mobil-government command post overseeing an oil spill along the Yellowstone river, after the state’s Democratic governor said the group was defying state open government laws by denying public access. The move underscores mounting tensions between the state and one of the world’s largest energy companies over its handling of pipeline rupture that spewed tens of thousands of gallons of oil into the scenic river.

Gov. Brian Schweitzer was to travel to Billings Friday to announce the opening of an alternate state-run oil spill coordination center.

Exxon Mobil security workers have closely guarded access to the command post on the second floor of the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Billings, where the EPA and other federal agencies also are stationed. Attempts by The Associated Press to talk to government officials there have been denied.

“The state will no longer have a presence at the Crowne Plaza because Exxon Mobil tells us they can’t respect the open government laws we have in Montana,” Schweitzer told The Associated Press. “I can’t allow state employees to be in meetings at the Crowne Plaza talking about this cleanup without having it open.”

EDIT

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/federal-government/gov-cuts-ties-to-oil-spill-command-post-after-exxon-mobil-security-blocks-public-access/2011/07/08/gIQA7hKJ3H_story.html

[gateley]

1. LOVE Schweitzer! Other than "clean coal", I think he's pretty

much perfect (and I understand coal would be a big revenue generator for MT, so I'm even willing to be nice about that).

See? It isn't hard to stand up to those bullies! :headbang:

[xxqqqzme]

2. I have an argument w/

'clean coal' as well. I certainly admire what he has done so far w/ regards to this spill.