Urge Congress to Permanently Protect the Arctic Refuge!

Support Permanent Protections for the Arctic Refuge

Dear Representative,

As your constituent, I am writing today to strongly urge you to support the Udall-Eisenhower Arctic Wilderness Act (H.R. 39) to permanently protect the coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge -- the Refuge's biological heart -- as a wilderness area with permanent protections.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy's own Energy Information Administration (EIA), oil from the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge would have little or no impact on oil prices. Even when drilling reaches peak production in 20 years, the refuge could provide only 3% of U.S. oil needs. Drilling in the Arctic Refuge is not the solution to our nation's energy problems.

The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and the majestic wildlife that live there deserve the permanent protections set forth in this important legislation. The Arctic Refuge is not only home to caribou, snow fox and millions of migratory birds, it is also one of the most important onshore denning habitats for America's remaining polar bears.

Already, the Fish & Wildlife Service is proposing that the polar bear be listed as "threatened" on the Endangered Species List. If drilling -- and the development that comes with it -- is permitted in this important habitat, polar bears may abandon their dens, leaving cubs to die.

Drilling and the transportation and infrastructure needed to support it could wreak havoc on wildlife and the habitat they need to survive. There are around 400 crude oil and toxic spills every year at the Prudhoe oil field, just 30 miles west of the Arctic Refuge.

I strongly urge you to support the bipartisan Udall-Eisenhower Arctic Wilderness Act (H.R. 39) and permanent protection for the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Only a "wilderness" designation will stop the ceaseless efforts to drill in this special place and focus on real energy solutions like energy efficiency and the development of clean, renewable alternatives to fossil fuels.

Thank you for taking the time to consider my comments. I eagerly await your response.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]
[Your Address]