Yellowstone spill: D.C. is getting a show poodle

It is no surprise Gov. Brian Schweitzer's decision to suddenly stop working with federal Environmental Protection Agency officials and ExxonMobil and stage a grandstanding attack on a major Billings-area employer came just days after a new poll showed him within striking distance of grabbing a new job in the United States Senate. The poll shows Schweitzer could defeat Sen. Max Baucus in a Democrat primary for his U.S. Senate seat by currying favor with multi-million dollar radical environmentalist groups hostile to Montana's energy economy.

Schweitzer's performance Friday, in which he ignored the EPA's scientific findings, attacked a local employer and deliberately misled Montanans, was intended to curry favor with left-wing D.C. campaign bankrollers, who have openly declared their intention to shut down Montana's energy economy. His misleading, self-centered performance is exactly what one would expect from a politician who is reading poll numbers and focused on grabbing a lifetime job in D.C.

The fact is EPA officials confirm there is no serious pollution and the release on the Yellowstone River on July 1 was between 750 and 1,000 barrels. The fact is EPA confirms no detected volatile organic compounds or hydrogen sulfide in the air along the river. The fact is EPA confirms no benzene in the air. The fact is EPA confirms no hydrocarbons above drinking water levels. The fact is EPA confirms drinking water is safe and the river water is safe for irrigation.

EPA officials tell me "the human health issue is resolved." The area is perfectly safe and is recovering rapidly. The good folks here in Montana have handled this situation with class and dignity. They are focused on restoring the environment and the local economy.

But when Montanans needed someone focused on their concerns, Schweitzer chose to do what he does best - focus on Gov. Schweitzer. When Montanans needed someone to lead, Gov. Schweitzer chose to grandstand. Montana needs a workhorse. D.C. is getting a show poodle.

The fact is local businesses near Laurel are hurting. Some residents do not want to go near the site, despite the fact EPA confirms the area is perfectly safe, because Schweitzer deliberately sought to scare them for his own political benefit. Schweitzer chose to mislead and hurt local residents because it could translate into more D.C.-environmentalist campaign dollars for a Senate run.

I have visited the site, been to local restaurants and businesses, and have encouraged recovery workers and local residents to do the same. I have also encouraged the EPA and ExxonMobil to employ local residents in the recovery effort whenever possible.

American Tradition Partnership is focused on helping Laurel and Billings recover. It is unfortunate Schweitzer could not take time out of positioning himself for a job in D.C. to join us in a constructive, positive effort to restore the local environment and protect local jobs.

His decision to curry favor with Washington, D.C.'s multi-million dollar environmentalist lobby by pulling out of the recovery effort center, attacking a major Billings-area employer and deliberately choosing to frighten residents by misleading them about the condition of the area, is hurting Montanans for his own political benefit.

Donald Ferguson is the executive director of American Tradition Partnership, of Bozeman.