Sen. Joe Lieberman, I/D-Conn., said today offshore oil and gas drilling provisions will remain in a draft Senate climate and energy bill he has coauthored, despite a massive Gulf Coast spill that has given fresh ammunition to drilling critics.

"There were good reasons for us to put in offshore drilling, and this terrible accident is very rare in drilling," Lieberman said. "I mean, accidents happen. You learn from them and you try not to make sure they don't happen again."

When asked whether the spill would change any of the drilling language he and Sens. John Kerry, D-Mass., and Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., have developed, Lieberman said, "I don't think so; certainly not to lead us to remove it." He said the draft would allow drilling as close as 75 miles from the U.S. coastline.

Lieberman said the goal of their plan is less dependence on foreign oil and fossil fuels in general, adding that the bill ensures greater environmental protection regarding drilling than current law. "I think the arguments are there," he said.

But the gulf spill has energized drilling opponents, who say expanding offshore drilling will kill climate legislation. "This legislation's not going anywhere" if it includes drilling off the coast of the continental United States, said Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla. He promised to filibuster the bill if it does.

Offshore drilling was added to the draft Senate plan to draw support from Republicans and some Democrats and is seen as essential to ensuring 60 votes.

Drilling critics argue that the spill will shore up enough support for trying to move away from oil as much as possible. "I would like to think that instead of hurting climate change, this spill should act as a rallying cry for comprehensive climate and energy legislation," said Sen. Robert Menendez, D-N.J.

Menendez said the climate and energy plan has other language to entice centrists in both parties, including incentives for nuclear energy and cleaner uses of coal. "So I don't think that this is a single-item issue," he said.

But drilling language is deemed essential for Graham and likely for fence-sitters representing heavy oil and gas production areas, such as Mary Landrieu, D-La., and Energy and Natural Resources ranking member Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska.

Meanwhile, in the House, Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., remained optimistic -- even determined -- that Congress can pass an energy bill this year. "Certainly the risk presented by offshore drilling is something that has to be taken into consideration," said Pelosi, speaking to reporters. "But we must pass this bill. And we will find our area of agreement... between the House and the Senate -- to pass it.

"I don't think this [oil spill] is something that will stop it," Pelosi added.

Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., later echoed those sentiments. "We cannot be hostage to those who sell us oil, who may or may not care a whole lot about our security," said Hoyer. "So, it's very, very critical that we continue to move ahead on energy independence."

Billy House contributed to this report.

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