Washington, DC – In response to the Interior Department cancelling sales of new oil and gas leases in the Arctic Ocean, League of Conservation Voters Deputy Legislative Director Alex Taurel issued the following statement:

“This is great news for the Arctic!  With Shell out of the picture and Secretary Sally Jewell’s Interior Department now having wisely canceled new lease sales, momentum is building toward a new course for the Arctic that protects these pristine waters and our climate from reckless drilling.  We hope President Obama will seize this opportunity to add a legacy of bold Arctic Ocean protection to his impressive record on conservation and climate change.”

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