Dozens of environmental groups are urging the Senate to reject efforts to expand offshore drilling in light of the massive oil spill in the Gulf.
The groups sent a letter to all 100 U.S. senators Monday, arguing the accident illustrates that offshore drilling is an "inherently dangerous, risky and dirty business." Signers included Oceana, the Sierra Club and the Natural Resources Defense Council.
In March, President Barack Obama called for new offshore drilling in the Atlantic Ocean from Delaware to central Florida, and the northern waters of Alaska. He also asked Congress to lift a drilling ban in the oil-rich eastern Gulf of Mexico, 125 miles from Florida beaches. The White House isn't ruling out changes to the offshore drilling plan.
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