WASHINGTON - April 27 - Statement of Alex Levinson, Sierra Club's Deputy Legal Director

"Desperate to keep the workings of the Energy Task Force secret, the Bush Administration argued today that the judiciary has no role reviewing whether it broke the law - an unprecedented argument in light of the Court's prior rulings against Presidents Nixon, Clinton, and others.

"It seems that the Bush Administration is obsessed with secrecy. This case is about how that penchant for secrecy and back-room deals resulted in a polluting energy policy that will negatively impact Americans' health, safety and the places they treasure.

"The oral argument today shows the importance of citizen participation in government. The Bush Administration has consistently demonstrated a pattern of shutting the public out, ignoring public comments, and instead favoring corporate campaign contributors.

"This case is of vital importance right now because the energy bill inspired by this secret process is currently before Congress. The American people deserve to know who really wrote their energy policy before it becomes law."

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