Jared Huffman goes Arctic
Rep. Jared Huffman, a Democrat from sunny San Rafael, just got back from a trip to the Arctic Circle and Arctic National Wildlife Refuge that he said Wednesday “only reaffirmed my commitment to protect these unique wild places — some of the last places on Earth untouched and unspoiled by roads, energy extraction, and other human development.”
Huffman has introduced a bill to permanently protect the area, putting him at odds with the Obama administration, which on Tuesday approved a final permit for Royal Dutch Shell to drill in the Arctic Ocean off Alaska’s northwest coast. Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton has also broken with the administration on the issue.
Huffman said he “completed a remarkable swing through Prudhoe Bay, where I learned firsthand what fossil fuel development north of the Arctic Circle really entails; followed by an amazing aerial tour of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and a camping trip in the Arctic Wilderness.”
“From Teddy Roosevelt and John Muir, to Presidents Eisenhower and Carter, prior generations have understood that the Alaskan Arctic is a one-of-a-kind treasure that must be permanently preserved and protected. It’s time for our generation to step up and do our part. … The oil and gas in these areas should simply be left in the ground.”
Source: By Carolyn Lochhead
Next Article Previous Article