Statement of Common Cause President Chellie Pingree on US Supreme Court ruling on Vice President Cheney’s energy task force

“We’re disappointed that the Supreme Court has refused to force the Bush Administration to make public its records of the energy task force. America needs a fair and balanced energy bill that addresses our energy needs while protecting the environment. But we have never been able to know just how skewed this bill is in favor of oil and coal production and consumption at the expense of environmental protection, energy conservation and the promotion of newer, cleaner sources of energy.

We hope the appellate court for the D.C. Circuit will hear this case thoroughly and rule in favor of openness rather than secrecy. Americans deserve to know who had a seat at the White House and whether the energy bill they produced balanced all needs or just those of a few individuals and industries.”