Rendell ends tracking of opponents of natural gas drilling

Ron SouthwickPatriot News
Gov. Ed Rendell said Tuesday night that the state will no longer monitor groups who oppose natural gas drilling.
And he said the state would not renew a contract with a private company tapped to gather the information when the pact expires at the end of October.
Government watchdogs and environmental groups expressed outrage that the state Office of Homeland Security had been sending information to law enforcement agencies and drilling companies about anti-gas drilling groups.
A Patriot-News story on the controversy was published in Tuesday morning's editions.
"Protesting is not a threat," Rendell said at a press conference. "It's a God-given American right."
The Pennsylvania Office of Homeland Security had tapped the Institute of Terrorism Research and Response, a private firm based in Philadelphia, to gather the information.
But the firm also disseminated information about a gay pride event, a tax rally at the Capitol, and a gathering of students who came to Harrisburg to support the governor's own education agenda, Rendell said.
"It's just stunning," Rendell said. "This is absolutely ludicrous." More...