Greenpeace Protests Bush's Energy Plan on Second Valdez Anniversary

FOUR members of an environmental group chained themselves to an oil tanker in Los Angeles Harbor for several hours last weekend in a protest marking the second anniversary of the massive Exxon-Valdez oil spill. Greenpeace spokeswoman Kelly Quirke said two protesters chained themselves to the rudder at the stern of the tanker Exxon New Orleans. Two more dangled in harnesses off the starboard side of the vessel, which was docked off Terminal Island in San Pedro.

Harbor Police spokesman Bryan Torregano said authorities sealed off the area around the tanker to restrict access to the demonstrators by several Greenpeace boats in the area.

After negotiations with Harbor Police, the protesters abandoned the tanker about 2 p.m. and held a news conference at a nearby dock. There were no arrests.

"Two years ago today the Exxon Valdez left Prince William Sound," Mr. Quirke said. "On the second anniversary, we ask ourselves why the president has just released a national strategy that ignores clean fuels and conservation."

On March 23, 1989, the tanker Exxon Valdez left Valdez on a voyage that ended the following day, when it ran aground on Bligh's Reef and spilled nearly 11 million gallons of crude.

Quirke said the nation's energy strategy only "further deepens our addiction to fossil fuels and guarantees more spills in the future."

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