Statement of Rodger Schlickeisen, President, Defenders of Wildlife on House Arctic Refuge Vote

(08/02/2001) - WASHINGTON -- "We are deeply disappointed that the House of Representatives failed to halt a scheme to open the coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil exploitation. A majority of members voted against science, against wildlife, against taxpayers, and against the will of broad majorities of the American people. We are now counting on the Senate to show more responsibility and stop this bad idea dead in its tracks.

"It is very troubling that so many members caved in to pressure from the White House, Big Oil and other special interests, and the Teamsters, and now want to go full speed ahead on kicking in the door to the last 5 percent of Alaska’s arctic coast that is not available for oil and gas development.

"Even if members had shown the wisdom to reject the Arctic Refuge drilling provision, this is still a staggeringly irresponsible energy bill, which Defenders of Wildlife strongly opposes. This legislation is stuffed to the brim with give-aways to wealthy oil and coal companies, and short-sighted rollbacks of rules that protect wildlife and the environment on public lands across this country. It is little more than a generous payback on the investment energy companies made in electing their advocates to the Congress and the White House. This was the best vote that big oil’s money could buy."

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Defenders of Wildlife is a leading nonprofit conservation organization recognized as one of the nation's most progressive advocates for wildlife and its habitat. With more than 470,000 members and supporters, Defenders of Wildlife is an effective leader on environmental issues.

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Contact(s):

Cat Lazaroff, (202) 772-3270