Pat Toomey Stubbornly Reaffirms Support for Drilling in Great Lakes

Press Release

Yesterday while in Northwestern Pennsylvania, Congressman Pat Toomey rigidly reiterated his position in favor of drilling in Lake Erie, one of America's natural treasures. Despite the consequences of the disaster in the Gulf of Mexico, Congressman Toomey remains in favor of putting 90% of the surface fresh water in the United States at risk with drilling in the Great Lakes. He consistently puts the interests of big business ahead of the interests of the American people.

Admiral Joe Sestak responded today saying "Lake Erie is an invaluable economic, cultural and ecological treasure for Pennsylvania and the world. It is irresponsible to put this resource and the jobs it provides at risk. Rather than looking out for behemoths like BP, we need a senator who will put the people of Pennsylvania first."

Further, despite calls for Pat Toomey to repudiate fellow Republican Joe Barton - who publicly apologized to BP in the wake of this tragedy and was criticized for his stance even by Republican leaders - Congressman Toomey has remained silent.

THE FACTS:

On the environment:

1. The Great Lakes contain some 20% of all the world's surface fresh water.
2. Even a smaller spill than the BP Gulf disaster could contaminate every drop of water in Lake Erie.
3. The Great Lakes are a critical source of drinking water for some 40 million people.

On jobs:

1. Tourism jobs account for 12% of all jobs in Erie County.
2. These jobs provide an estimated $278 million in wages for working families in Pennsylvania.
3. Erie, the "Walleye Capital of the World," is a prime destination for sport-fishing and ice-fishing.
4. Lake Erie is Pennsylvania's most visited tourist attraction, with over 4 million yearly visitors, more than the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, Gettysburg, or Hershey.

Despite all of these potential costs, Congressman Toomey still believes we should be drilling in the Great Lakes. Apparently the interests of big oil are more important to Congressman Toomey than the interests of Pennsylvania's working families.

Click here to see this report from WJET-TV in Erie for full coverage of Congressman Toomey's remarks.

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