Feature story - March 16, 2006
Let's give credit where credit is due: the oil industry sure is persistent. For 45 years, drilling proponents have been trying every trick in the book to open up Alaska's Wildlife Refuge to development. At times it's come down to the wire, but we've managed to stave off their attacks without fail. This week, a vote on Capitol Hill could strip the Refuge of its protection and we need your help to make sure that doesn't happen.
Oil industry allies have slipped a provision to drill in the Arctic Refuge in this year's congressional budget. In the next few days, the Senate could approve the budget and "America's Serengeti" would become a wasteland of roads, pipelines, drilling platforms and oil spills.
Arctic wildlife is already gravely threatened by global warming, caused by the very industries that are lobbying to open up this wildlife haven. Polar bears, caribou, migratory birds and other animals would be exposed to the inevitable oil spills and pollution if development is approved.
Drilling in our protected lands is not the solution to our energy crisis. Everyone agrees we should be striving for energy independence, but the best way to achieve that is through investing our tax dollars in clean, renewable energy such as solar and wind.