Facing increased political pressure on offshore drilling, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced on Saturday that Congress will vote next month on whether to lift the ban on new offshore drilling — a decision that could potentially have enormous environmental impacts while doing nothing to curb high gas prices. (Christian Science Monitor — Gail Russell Chaddock)

Pointing to escalating support for new offshore drilling and a drop in concern for global warming as a national priority, The Politico‘s Erika Lovely paints politicians and activists as being divided on how to simultaneously address climate change and energy issues.

The presidential campaign is heating up and calls for new offshore drilling are growing louder, but the New York Times‘ Bob Herbert points out the obvious problem with all the rhetoric — drilling is not going to do anything for America’s current gas crisis.

The New York Times‘ Paul Krugman says the debate over offshore drilling is the tip of the iceberg for a much bigger issue — our level of commitment to halting climate change and saving the planet.

Teamsters President Jim Hoffa says that the U.S. needs broad planning to help break our crippling dependence on oil — not stop-gap solutions like drilling in ANWR –  and calls for more cooperation between labor and environment groups. (Market Watch)

While Democrats and Republicans have few options for offering immediate relief for Americans burdened by high gas prices, both sides are hoping they can capitalize on the issue come November. (New York Times — Carl Hulse)

President Bush wipes out a 1990 executive ban on new offshore drilling, prompting heavy criticism from Democrats. The 27-year-old moratorium from Congress on new offshore drilling remains in effect. (New York Times — Steve Lee Myers and Carl Hulse)