MARKEY REINTRODUCES BILL TO PROTECT ARCTIC NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Chairman Ed Markey, 202-225-4081
MARKEY REINTRODUCES BILL TO PROTECT ARCTIC NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE
WASHINGTON (January 6, 2009) – Today, Rep. Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) reintroduced the Udall-Eisenhower Arctic Wilderness Act (H.R. 39) to designate the coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge as wilderness with permanent protections. Rep. Markey is a Senior Member of the Natural Resources and Energy and Commerce committees, and is the Chairman of the Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming.
Rep. Markey said, “The 111th Congress marks a time of real change, ending the shortsighted era of ‘drill, drill, drill’ and looking towards smart, green policies that will grow our economy and protect our environment. The Udall-Eisenhower Arctic Wilderness Act honors two great American visionaries by designating the coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge as wilderness in their names and giving permanent protection to this great unspoiled wild place.”
“The Arctic Refuge is the crown jewel of the Wildlife Refuge System,” Markey continued. “Protecting the Refuge will send a strong statement of our nation’s intent to preserve America’s pristine wilderness areas, break our dangerous addiction to oil, and kick-start a green revolution that will create jobs, grow the economy, and promote energy independence.”
Republican President Dwight D. Eisenhower began the bipartisan legacy of fighting to protect the Artic Refuge for future generations when he set aside the core of the Refuge in 1960. Twenty years later, in 1980, Democratic Representative Morris Udall succeeded in doubling the size of the Refuge, protecting even more of this untrammeled wilderness from oil drilling with the Alaska Natural Interest Lands Conservation Act. Rep. Markey is reintroducing this bill as H.R. 39, the original bill number given to Rep. Udall’s bill that became law. Rep. Markey has led the fight in the House to protect the Arctic Refuge since 2001.
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The House Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming was formed by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) to increase the visibility and priority given to America's oil dependence and global warming challenges. It is chaired by Rep. Edward J. Markey (D-MA) and will actively explore the solutions, science and progress on these pressing issues during the 110th Congress.
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