John McCain Votes to Preserve Arctic Refuge
©Bert Gildart: Several days ago Sen. Lisa Murkowski’s Arctic Refuge drilling amendment (the so-called “Directional Drilling” bill) was voted down, 13 to 10. This bill, according to an Arctic Action news release, “would have cracked open the Arctic Refuge coastal plain to oil leasing and development and undermined the fundamental purposes of the refuge to preserve wilderness and wildlife.” (For my stories on the refuge see: ANWR1, Mendacity, Role of Sarah James)
Sen. John McCain sustained his long-time support of keeping the Arctic Refuge a true Refuge!
Arctic Refuge provides cotton grass--an essential food for caribou. This photo purchased from me for display at a Denali Visitor Center.
Obviously, there was a debate, at which time Sen. Murkowski insisted that there would be “no impacts” within the Refuge. Although she mentioned there would be winter seismic exploration, she failed to note that it would harm critical and threatened polar bear habitat.
We’re glad the refuge will remain a refuge.
PLEASE PROVIDE YOUR THANKS
Please join us in thanking these Senators who voted to keep the Arctic Refuge wild and free of drill rigs:
Chairman Jeff Bingamen (D-NM), Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-ND), Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR), Sen. Time Johnson (D-SD), Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Sen. Robert Mendendez (D-NJ), Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D-AR), Sen. Bernard Sanders (I-VT), Sen. Evan Bayh (D-IN), Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Sen. Mark Udall (D-CO), Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), and Sen. John McCain (R-AZ).
You can find their web form for e-mails here:
http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm
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