FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 1, 2001

CONTACT:
David Willett, 202-675-6698

           SIERRA CLUB DENOUNCES MEMBERS OF CONGRESS FOR TURNING
            THEIR BACKS ON THE ARCTIC NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE
                House Rejects Protections from Oil Drilling

Washington- The Sierra Club today condemned Members of the House of
Representatives for refusing to protect the embattled coastal plain of the
Arctic National Wildlife Refuge from destructive oil drilling.  By 206 to
222, Members voted against protecting this fragile tundra from oil
exploration, which would ruin one of America's richest wildlife habitats
for a small amount of oil.

"While we are profoundly disappointed that the House turned its back on the
pristine Arctic Refuge and the will of the American people, we are
optimistic as the fight heads to the Senate," said Carl Pope, executive
director for the Sierra Club.  "Big Oil called out their big guns and their
big money on this vote.

"Drilling in the Arctic Refuge won't address our nation's energy needs or
make a dent in gas prices.  Instead of destroying this fragile tundra,
Americans want a balanced approach that gives us quicker, cleaner, cheaper
and safer solutions, such as energy-efficient technologies, renewable
power, and responsible production."

Reps. Nancy Johnson (R-CT) and Edward Markey (D-MA) tried to amend the
House energy bill to protect the Arctic Refuge from oil drilling demanded
by President Bush and the oil industry.

"The oil industry promotes 'environmentally friendly oil drilling' but
that's like selling finger-friendly blenders," Pope added.  "For example,
Prudhoe Bay, just 60 miles away from the Arctic Refuge, averages a spill
every day.  We should not bow to oil industry pressure and deprive future
generations of this precious place.  We urge Senators to consider the
scientific facts and reject this destructive proposal when they debate the
energy bill."

One of our nation's last great wilderness areas, the Arctic Refuge is home
to wolves, polar bears, caribou and countless migratory birds that flock to
the Refuge from every state in the Lower 48.  Although 95 percent of
Alaska's vast north slope, which contains the Arctic Refuge, is available
to oil and gas leasing, President Bush and his campaign contributors in the
oil industry aim to plunder the last five percent that remains off-limits
to exploitation.

                                   # # #

 For the latest environmental news, please visit
http://www.sierraclub.org/pressroom/.

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