Washington, D.C. – After the U.S. House of Representatives voted to pass a tax bill that harms the environment, threatens our clean energy future, and paves the way for drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, League of Conservation Voters Senior Vice President for Government Affairs Tiernan Sittenfeld released the following statement:

“This bill delivers a huge tax cut to millionaires and corporate polluters at the expense of the health and well-being of communities across the country.  It takes our energy policy backwards by eliminating incentives for renewables and failing to close loopholes that prevent oil and coal from paying their fair share. This legislation is a fiscally and environmentally irresponsible scam that will result in massive funding cuts to clean air and water protections our communities rely on.

“Congress is also expected to package the tax bill with an Arctic Refuge drilling payout to Big Oil – a sweetheart deal that has no place in a tax debate. It’s time for House Republicans to stand up to party leadership and demand that drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge be taken off the table.”