Gabby Brown, gabby.brown@sierraclub.org
Washington, DC -- A bill introduced in the House of Representatives today would repeal a provision in the controversial December 2017 tax bill that opened up the coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge for drilling. The Arctic Cultural and Coastal Plain Protection Act was introduced by Rep. Jared Huffman along with a total of 100 original co-sponsors.
The overwhelming majority of Americans do not want to see drilling in the Arctic Refuge, and the financial sector is taking notice. Last month, two major international financial institutions announced new policies rejecting financing for drilling or exploration there.
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 a chance to undo the dangerous and short-sighted decision to sell off this special place to corporate polluters. We applaud Representative Huffman and the bill’s co-sponsors for their leadership in protecting America's Refuge.”
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.