Act Now to Block Drilling in the Arctic

Take action now! The Senate will soon decide the fate of the Arctic Wildlife Refuge, and the direction of our national energy plan. Call or email your Senator to oppose drilling for oil in our nation's great wilderness. Also, ask him or her to support an amendment to hold renewable fuel manufacturers accountable for their products. Speak out in support of efforts to protect our public lands and our public health. (Please note: Senators in AK, CA, NJ, NC, NV & PA will not accept an email from our site. Contact them using the forms on their websites.)

Sample Letter for Campaign

Subject: Oppose Drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

As the United States contains only three percent of the world's oil reserves, drilling for oil and gas in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge or other sensitive wild places in America will do little to reduce our dependence on foreign oil. The U.S. Geological Survey estimates that there is only a 6-month supply of economically recoverable oil on the Arctic Refuge and even the oil industry admits it would take nearly 10 years to get the first drop.

I am very disappointed that the Senate rejected the best chance for America to save oil and combat global warming pollution when it rejected the Kerry-Hollings- McCain amendment to improve automobile fuel efficiency. When it comes to oil, if we are ever going to achieve energy security it has to come from getting more miles per gallon.

When you resume consideration of the energy bill, I urge you to oppose all amendments that allow drilling in any part of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. I also ask you to reject efforts that weaken protections for other wild places, clean air or clean water. In addition, I urge you to support the Boxer-Feinstein Amendment that seeks to hold fuel manufacturers fully accountable for pollution or public health impacts that result from their products.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
October 01, 2001


Background Information

The Senate is expected to resume consideration of the Energy bill this week. What has long been anticipated to be the biggest fight, whether or not to allow oil drilling on the coastal plain of the Arctic Refuge, has yet to be debated. In addition to Arctic drilling, other amendments could materialize that seek to trade environmental protections for energy production.

Before the Senate left for the spring recess, it rejected the efforts of Senators John Kerry (MA), Fritz Hollings (SC) and John McCain (AZ) to provide real energy security by improving the fuel efficiency of our automobiles and light trucks. This policy would have saved several times the amount of oil that is in the Arctic Refuge.

On a positive note, the Senate is expected to consider at least one environmentally responsible amendment. California Senators Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein will be offering an amendment to prevent pollution and protect public health. The measure removes a broad product liability waiver contained in the energy bill that seeks to shield renewable fuel manufacturers from liability for damages that result from their products, such as drinking water contamination.