New Senate Bill Would Permanently Protect Arctic Refuge from Drilling

Washington, DC -- A bill introduced in the Senate today would establish the coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge as a wilderness area, permanently protecting it from destructive oil and gas exploration. The Arctic Refuge Protection Act was introduced by Sen. Maria Cantwell (WA); Sen. Tom Udall (NM); Sen. Michael Bennet (CO); Sen. Ed Markey (MA); Sen. Charles Schumer (NY); and Sen. Tom Carper (DE). 

Companion legislation was introduced in the House of Representatives earlier this year, which would repeal the provision in the controversial December 2017 tax bill that opened up the coastal plain for drilling. The House is expected to vote on that bill this week. 

Despite overwhelming public opposition, the Trump administration is rushing to hold a lease sale for drilling in the coastal plain as soon as this fall. In recent months, major oil companies and banks faced protests from activists and shareholders urging them not to support drilling in the Arctic Refuge, and BP recently announced that it will sell off all of its assets in the Arctic and not pursue drilling in the Refuge. 

In response, Sierra Club Lands Protection Program Director Athan Manuel released the following statement: 

"Drilling in the Arctic Refuge would threaten the food security and human rights of the Gwich'in people and permanently destroy one of the world's last wild places, all to dig up more oil that would worsen the climate crisis. That’s why the overwhelming majority of Americans oppose drilling there, as do a growing number of investors and financial institutions. Now Congress has an opportunity to permanently protect this special place from corporate polluters. We applaud Senator Markey and the bill’s co-sponsors for their leadership in protecting America's Refuge.”