Drilling in the Arctic Refuge would despoil this last great wilderness for a uncertain amount of oil — in fact, the U.S. Department of Energy recently estimated that if we drilled for oil in the Refuge tomorrow, it would lower gas prices by merely a penny per gallon…but not for 20 years. And drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge would not put a dent in our dependence on foreign oil or strengthen our national security. But the harm to wildlife and this spectacular wilderness would be permanent and irreparable.
We’re now at the 11th hour — this week could be your last chance to protect one of America’s treasures — the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge! The House is expected to vote as early as this Thursday on a bill that would allow drilling in the long-protected Arctic National Wildlife Refuge as well as revoke the 24-year old moratorium on offshore drilling.
To date, the Sierra Club has received over 50,000 signatures on the petition to protect the Arctic Refuge and with this critical vote in mind; the goal is to reach 100,000 signatures by Wednesday night. Once the goal has been reached the 100,000 signatures will be delivered to Capitol Hill and a clear message will be sent to Congress to oppose Arctic drilling. Your action is urgently needed to help meet this goal of 100,000 signatures and protect the Arctic Refuge — please take a minute to add your name to the petition and encourage your friends and family to do the same!