Submitted by Diane Farsetta on
"The [pro-Arctic National Wildlife Refuge drilling] coalition was industry-driven. That was the exact opposite of how to do it," said Dutko Group lobbyist Stephen Brown. Brown is working with major chemical companies "to create a new coalition aligned with consumer groups to press for a legislative remedy to high prices for natural gas," called the Consumers Alliance for Affordable Natural Gas. Coalition members include the American Chemistry Council, Dow Chemical, and DuPont; the 60 Plus Association, Consumer Federation of America, and AFL-CIO "will become increasingly involved," said Brown. The coalition's goal is "to produce a stand-alone natural-gas bill," likely to include measures "reducing drilling restrictions."