WASHINGTON D.C. — Today, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources (ENR) Committee passed a measure as part of tax reform that would open the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge for drilling and fossil fuel extraction.

Collin O’Mara, president and chief executive officer of the National Wildlife Federation, said today:

“Porcupine caribou, musk oxen, polar bears, and migratory birds should not pay the ultimate price to help fund tax cuts. It’s that simple. Congress must not risk this priceless national treasure for short term financial gain, especially when there are other, much less impactful sources of revenues to offset tax cuts and much more effective investments that could strengthen the Alaskan economy and reduce the state’s high unemployment. Building well-pads and roads across the coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge — an area specifically conserved because of its critical wildlife habitat value — is unacceptable. We urge Congress to stand up for our wildlife, public lands, clean water and clean air and say ‘no’ to drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.”