BANGOR DAILY NEWS • May 24, 2021
Fossil fuel extraction is a risky, intense, disruptive activity that threatens the Gwich’in people’s way of life and our public lands. In January, Arctic oil and gas leases, auctioned off for the first time, despite overwhelming public opposition and the refusal of most major banks to fund extraction activities there, generated only a small fraction of anticipated revenue, showing that it is not cost effective to drill in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Fossil fuels are not needed to thrive, but we do need clean air and water, which continue to be at risk due to the continued, large-scale burning of fossil fuels. The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge must be permanently protected from oil and gas drilling. Urge Maine’s congressional members to stop forced lease sales in the Arctic and to support the permanent withdrawal of drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. ~ Daniel Tandy, Coordinator, The Alaska Coalition, Bar Harbor