Governor Rendell says he’s angry Pennsylvania’s Office of Homeland Security provided information about environmental protests to drilling companies. But no administration officials will be fired or disciplined for the controversial security bulletin.

An Office of Homeland Security newsletter distributed in August classified anti-Marcellus Shale drilling protests as potential threats, warning “environmental activists and militants” may grow violent, as natural gas drilling expands in Pennsylvania. The document also provided information about gay rights and anti-tax protests, among other events.

Rendell says he’s “appalled” and “embarrassed” peaceful protesters were labeled security risks.

He’s letting the state’s contract with the private security firm who assembled the data expire – but says State Homeland Security Director James Powers won’t be disciplined. “The easiest thing would have been to come in and fire someone. But I’ve always tried to make sure that before we do that, we get to all the facts,” he said. “And again, the ultimate responsibility for all this stuff is mine. And I am deeply embarrassed, and I apologize to all the groups.”

Chief of Staff Steve Crawford will lead an internal investigation into why the information was gathered and disseminated.

Rendell made it clear he had known nothing about the newsletter.”Protesting – against an idea, a principle, a process – protesting is not a real threat against infrastructure. Protesting is a god-given American right.” He pointed out the bulletin warned against protestors at a Washington County he attended. “At the same time we were calling these people potential terrorists, I spent 35 minutes meeting and talking to them,” he said. “And my security detail stood in the back, and I was enveloped by these terrorists. And I want you to know: I didn’t feel threatened for one millisecond.”

Rendell argued if groups were planning on blowing up wells or setting off explosives at protests, the state would have a right to alert local officials and drilling companies to their plans. But gathering information about legitimate protests, he said, was “ludicrous,” and the information about them “had no value.” An official with the Institute of Terrorism Research and Response declined to comment, saying the company “respects client confidentiality.” Powers justified the document to the Patriot News this morning, saying there had been “five to ten” vandalism incidents concerning Pennsylvania drilling sites.

Some of the groups targeted by the intelligence document say they’re satisfied with Rendell’s apology.

Others have more questions – and want to know who decided to pass along the information to drilling companies. Activist Gene Stilp, who helped bring the issue to the forefront with press releases and press conferences, said, “while an apology is appreciated, the governor should have fired the head of Homeland Security in Pennsylvania tonight, for this ridiculous list. And also, a violation of people’s First Amendment Rights to assembly.”