Councilman seeks probe of terrorism research firm

Wednesday, September 15, 2010
By Joe Smydo, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Pittsburgh City Councilman Doug Shields this morning demanded a state investigation of what he called an "espionage" program directed at opponents of Marcellus Shale drilling.

Mr. Shields thanked Gov. Ed. Rendell for canceling a one-year, $125,000 contract with the Institute of Terrorism Research and Response, which was providing the state Office of Homeland Security with intelligence on gas-drilling opponents, plus tax protests and gay-pride activities.

Mr. Rendell said he canceled the contract when he found out about it Tuesday, but he hasn't removed Homeland Security Director James Powers.

Mr. Shields said he was up into the wee hours of the morning speaking with gas opponents about the intelligence-gathering program, including some who wondered whether they're on some kind of enemies list.

"Am I on the list?" said Mr. Shields, who also wondered whether the institute's representatives photographed or videotaped him at Frick Park during a recent airing of an anti-drilling documentary.

He noted that Tom Ridge, former Pennsylvania governor and the nation's first homeland security secretary, is now an adviser to a Marcellus Shale trade group.

Mr. Shields said the state should consider appointing a special counsel to probe who authorized the program and why. He said he'll do some legwork, such as examining the institute's tax documents, himself.

The institute is a Philadelphia-based nonprofit group.

"I want to see the 990s on this group," he said, referring to the IRS document nonprofits must file. "Where do the fingerprints lie on this organization?" Mr. Shields said.

More details in tomorrow's Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.