Washington in 5 Minutes

CALIFORNIA

Offshore drilling foes press Salazar

SAN FRANCISCO | Environmentalists dressed as polar bears, sea turtles and jellyfish were among dozens of people who packed a public hearing Thursday to press Interior Secretary Ken Salazar not to open new areas of the West Coast to oil drilling.

The public forum, the last of four such meetings across the country with Mr. Salazar, also drew state and federal lawmakers concerned about the effects any expansion of offshore drilling could have on the region’s economy and natural beauty.

“Our state is saying clearly to you today, no,” Sen. Barbara Boxer told Mr. Salazar at the opening of the hearing at the University of California at San Francisco’s Mission Bay campus. The California Democrat said the state’s coastline is a huge economic asset “just as it is.”

So far, Mr. Salazar has been cautious when discussing offshore drilling and has called for more study and public input before final decisions are made.

At a news conference outside the hearing, he said he hoped to be able to release details of the Obama administration’s energy plan - which would set forth details about offshore and onshore development - this year. He would not be more specific.

ALASKA

Legislature rejects Palin’s nominee

JUNEAU, Alaska | The Alaska Legislature has rejected Gov. Sarah Palin’s nominee for state attorney general in the latest clash between the former Republican vice presidential nominee and Democratic lawmakers.

Mrs. Palin’s pick, Wayne Anthony Ross, was rejected Thursday in a 35-23 vote by a joint session of the House and Senate.

The Anchorage attorney had run into trouble with some lawmakers when he waded into the fray between Mrs. Palin and Senate Democrats over filling Juneau’s vacant state Senate seat. He said Democrats should fill the seat without arguing about whether the process was legal.

Mr. Ross’ nomination also drew fire from civil rights groups for his past characterization of gays as “immoral” and “degenerate.”

SECESSION

Texas Democrats scold governor

AUSTIN, Texas | A group of Texas Democrats says Republican Gov. Rick Perry was reckless when he suggested at an anti-tax rally that fed-up Americans may one day want to secede from the United States.

The group said Thursday that he should disavow such talk. Democratic state Rep. Jim Dunnam of Waco said talk of secession is anti-American and that some people associate it with racial division and the Civil War.

Mr. Perry’s office did not immediately respond Thursday.

Answering a question from the Associated Press at an anti-tax rally Wednesday, Mr. Perry said he didn’t think Texas should secede. But he said the federal government was thumbing its nose at the American people and added, “who knows what might come out of that.”

AGRICULTURE

Vilsack names activist as adviser

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said Thursday that Robert Bonnie, a vice president of the Environmental Defense Fund, will serve as his senior adviser on environment and climate.

The Agriculture Department described Mr. Bonnie as a specialist in using the free market to encourage stewardship on the farm, such as carbon credits or so-called conservation banking for endangered species.

“Robert’s work on conservation incentives and markets, as well as conservation policy, will help guide USDA as we address some of the most challenging issues facing our nation’s future,” Mr. Vilsack said.

Mr. Vilsack said the Obama administration has the goals of larger output of alternative fuels from U.S. farms and helping researchers find ways to reduce agriculture’s reliance on fossil fuels.

Mr. Bonnie has worked at Environmental Defense since 1995.

From wire dispatches and staff reports