We’re one step closer to restoring protections for the Arctic Refuge

 

Dear Friend,  Good news! Last week, the House Natural Resources Committee completed a mark-up of budget reconciliation legislation that would repeal the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge oil and gas program. This brings us one step closer to protecting these sacred lands, but we aren’t done yet.  Bernadette Demientieff, Executive Director of the Gwich’in Steering Committee shared that "on behalf of the Gwich'in Nation of Alaska and Canada, we thank the House Natural Resources Committee for listening to the voice of our people and starting down the road to restoring protections for Iizhik Gwats’an Goondaii Goodlit, the sacred place where life begins.”  Despite being protected for decades, the Trump administration and Republicans used budget reconciliation to open the Arctic Refuge in 2017 to oil and gas exploration, claiming massive revenue that would be generated by drilling in the coastal plain. However, the first lease sale was a total flop, generating a mere $12 million—only 1% of the projected revenue. And even though it was a financial failure, another lease sale is still mandated by law by 2024.  Photo credit: Peter Mather This budget resolution is an inflection point for our nation and the future of millions. As we face a tipping point in the climate crisis, it’s imperative that Congress listen to the voice of the American people and protect the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge for good. Not only are the lives and culture of the Indigenous Peoples tied to these sacred lands, but drilling in the Refuge is just not worth the risks. Those risks are so clear that over a dozen major banks have announced they will not fund any new oil and gas development in the Arctic Refuge. On top of that, a growing list of project insurers are following suit, and committing to not issue policies for drilling and development either. The banks know it, major oil companies know it, and now Congress knows it too: drilling in the Refuge doesn’t make financial sense and is just bad business.  Thank you for being a part of the community that’s working to #ProtectTheArctic and #StandWithTheGwichin! In Gratitude,

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