Enough is Enough: Senate Blocks Yet Another Attempt to Prioritize Drilling in the Arctic

The Senate today blocked an attempt to pass S. 5438, introduced by Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK). The bill would have ratified and approved all authorizations, permits, verifications, extensions, biological opinions, incidental take statements and any other approvals or orders issued pursuant to federal law necessary for the establishment and administration of the Coastal Plain oil and gas leasing program, among other purposes.

The bill, which centered on the Arctic Refuge and also referenced the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska, welcomed rampant oil and gas drilling to proceed with little to no oversight. It would have also nullified presidential and secretarial orders suspending the program or canceling future leases. The Arctic Refuge is home to imperiled species such as caribou, polar bears and hundreds of species of migratory birds.

Defenders of Wildlife's Taylor Rush, government relations representative shared the following response:

"This bill would have surrendered one of our most treasured refuges over to extractive industry, sending a clear message to the American people that devastating environmental consequences for both wildlife and humans don't matter. Human disturbances are already degrading habitat at an accelerated rate, and the Arctic Refuge can't afford to take another blow. We're relieved that Sen. Heinrich and other members of the Senate didn't hesitate to stop this harmful bill in its tracks."

For nearly 80 years, Defenders of Wildlife has worked to protect and restore America's wildlife at risk of extinction, advancing a vision of a future in which wildlife thrives, sustained by broad public support and a resilient network of healthy lands and waters. With a network of more than 2 million supporters, Defenders is an advocate for innovative solutions to safeguard wildlife for generations to come. To learn more, please visit https://defenders.org/newsroom or follow us on Instagram @defendersofwildlife.

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