Courtney Bourgoin, courtney.bourgoin@sierraclub.org
Las Vegas, NV-- Late yesterday, Nevada Senator Catherine Cortez-Masto introduced legislation to protect the state’s Ruby Mountains from potential oil and gas development. According to her staff, the bill would prohibit oil and gas leasing anywhere within the Ruby Mountains Ranger District of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest. The bill marks the first piece of federal legislation to safeguard the Rubies-- a unique landscape that is under threat of leasing to fossil fuel development.
In response, Sierra Club Organizer Christian Gerlach released the following statement:
“The Sierra Club applauds Sen. Cortez-Masto’s leadership in introducing critical legislation to protect our public lands and ensure future generations can enjoy our beautiful and rich Nevadan landscapes. We’re both proud and grateful that the senator is taking a stand for the Ruby Mountains. Sierra Club and our partners are committed to engaging in every step on the way to get the Ruby Mountains permanently protected.”
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3 million members and supporters. In addition to helping people from all backgrounds explore nature and our outdoor heritage, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.