WASHINGTON D.C. (WKZO) -- Several local and state environmentalists are wondering what happened to Congressman Fred Upton, who used to be much more supportive of green efforts, the man who brought florescent bulbs to public buildings and has been a champion to clean up the Kalamazoo River. The Sierra Club’s Ann Woiwode says since his appointment as chair of Energy and Commerce, he sounds more like he is in the pockets of big oil.

Alyssa Schafer a WMU Student and environmental leader says they are planning a rally on campus late this afternoon.

Cindy Roper at Clean Water Action says given the Enbridge Oil Spill so close to Upton’s district, they had hoped they might pursue tighter restrictions on pipeline operations. Instead Upton is backing the construction of a new Pipeline from the Oil Shale fields of Canada to Texas.

Upton issued a written response, the congressman saying that he hasn’t forgotten about the Enbridge spill and will pursue meaningful regulation.