Rep. Huffman Statement on White House Approval of Oil Drilling in Arctic Sea

May 12, 2015

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Congressman Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael) today released the following statement regarding the Obama Administration yesterday announced conditional approval for Shell Gulf of Mexico, Inc. to begin drilling for oil in the Arctic Ocean:

“I am dismayed that the Obama Administration has decided to open the Arctic Sea to oil drilling and potential disaster. This plan lacks all sense: to trust Shell oil to operate safely in one of the most unpredictable, inhospitable, and dangerous seas in the world is a gamble that we cannot afford. We must remember the lessons of the Deepwater Horizon disaster and the ruin the Exxon Valdez brought to Alaska’s shoreline.”

“Any oil spill would prove catastrophic for the sensitive shoreline and marine life of the Alaska National Wildlife Refuge, which the Obama administration wisely committed to protecting just months ago. At that time, Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell called it ‘one of our nation’s crown jewels, and we have an obligation to preserve this spectacular place for generations to come.’

“We should remember that pledge.

“I call on the Administration to reverse course and keep Alaska’s environment—and its future—safe. America must pursue a clean energy future, not open our waters to oil drilling and ruin.”

Earlier this year, Huffman authored the Udall-Eisenhower Arctic Wilderness Act, which would protect more than 1.5 million-acres of wilderness from damaging activities including oil drilling.

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