Washington, D.C. — In response to the Trump administration’s reckless decision to open the Arctic Refuge for an oil and gas lease sale, the League of Conservation Voters (LCV) released the following statement from Conservation Program Director Alex Taurel:

“The Trump administration is once again steamrolling over public opinion, science, and human rights to push forward their plans to destroy the sacred Arctic Refuge — this time with just days left in office. We stand in solidarity with the Gwich’in Nation in the fight to protect an area they call “the Sacred Place Where Life Begins.” The Refuge is ground zero for climate change and selling it out to big polluters is unconscionable. With all of the major U.S. banks having committed to not finance Arctic drilling, it is clear that any company contemplating purchasing a lease will run serious financial, reputational, and regulatory risks in seeking to drill there. President-elect Biden has been a champion for the Arctic Refuge, and we’re counting on him to do everything in his power to protect this majestic place. We will not stop fighting until this  sacred land is protected permanently.”

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