Bill targets offshore drilling

WASHINGTON - An energy and climate bill made public on Wednesday would allow US states directly affected by offshore drilling to veto drilling plans of nearby states if they can show significant negative impacts from an accident.

The bill, sponsored by Senators John Kerry, a Demorat, and Joe Lieberman, an independent, also would allow coastal states to opt out of drilling being allowed up to 75 miles from their shores - a concession to lawmakers concerned about offshore drilling in the wake of the Gulf Coast oil spill.

In a break from current policy, states that allow offshore drilling will receive a share of federal revenue, the summary shows. That provision is likely to spark debate from interior senators, mostly in the West, who object to revenue sharing for offshore drilling.