Hello Friends of the
Arctic National Wildlife Refuge,
First - I want to thank you all
for your support for the Arctic Refuge, and your hard work to educate our
Senators on this issue! The fight continues - but it is through the dedication
of all of you that we have won "against the odds" so far last session and will
do so again this year.
Thank you, thank you.
Last night
the Senate has passed the Budget by the razor thin margin 51-49, which
included language to open the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil
leasing. The budget process is the vehicle of choice for drilling backers
because it is immune to filibuster, and represents their only hope of passing
the repeatedly defeated drilling proposal. This vote is only the first in a
multi-stage process that will determine the fate of the Arctic
Refuge.
The American people
will stand strong against destruction and will prevail once again this year in
making sure this measure does not become law.
The Senate has not learned the meaning of "No", despite
overwhelming public opposition.
The facts are: the numbers do not add
up regarding the proposed revenue generation, the proof by the most recent
oil spill - the largest ever in the North Slope of Alaska two weeks ago - that
drilling is not environmentally benign and it is not a question of If but of
When destructive "accidents" occur, drilling is a known threat to the unique and
threatened wildlife that use this area, and drilling may be the inevitable end
to a sustainable, and culturally rich, way of life for the Gwich'in native
communities who rely on this area for their survival.
The Senate insists on pushing us into the past and our
addiction to oil and fossil fuel burning despite the fact that the majority
of citizens in this country are far past ready to move to new innovative
energy technologies. We want to end our over-dependence on oil and reduce
the build up of greenhouse gases in our atmosphere. We need
a clean Congress, clean energy policies and we need to
continue the tradition of protection for our last great wild
places for wildlife and future generations.
Could it be that our Senate is "insane" ?? - It is high
time for a change.
Region Vote Results: (please take a moment to thank our
champs and show your disappointment for the bad votes.)
Minnesota - Senator Coleman and Senator Dayton voted correctly
and opposed this bad bill.
Iowa - Senator Harkin opposed and Senator Grassley
supported.
South Dakota - Senator Johnson opposed and Senator Thune
supported.
North Dakota - Senator Conrad and Senator Dorgan opposed this
bad bill.
Capitol Switchboard: 202-224-3121
thank you again!
Lois Norrgard
Regional Organizer
Alaska
Coalition
10368 Columbus Circle
Bloomington MN 55420
ph/fx:
952.881-7282
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