Jonathon Berman, jonathon.berman@sierraclub.org
Houston, TX -- On Thursday, August 29 at 12:45pm, a crowd of local environmental and Indigenous activists will rally outside an appearance by BP America chairman and president Susan Dio to call on her to pledge that BP will not pursue drilling in the coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
Considered sacred to the Gwich’in Nation and key to their food security and way of life, this unique place has been protected for generations, until a provision in the 2017 tax bill opened it for oil and gas leasing. The Trump administration has been pushing for drilling on an accelerated schedule ever since, and hopes to hold a lease sale in the coastal plain as soon as this winter.
Dio has expressed support for the Trump administration’s plan and recent reporting revealed BP’s lobbying efforts to see the delicate area sold off for destructive drilling.
WHAT: Advocates to Protest BP America President in Houston Over Arctic Refuge Drilling Plans
WHO: A crowd of local activists will be joined by representatives from the Gwich’in Steering Committee and the Sierra Club
WHEN: Thursday, August 29 at 12:45pm
WHERE: HESS Club, 5430 Westheimer Ct., Houston, TX
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3.5 million members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, 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.