Joint Statement: Legislation Undermines Indigenous Communities, Wildlife Protections, Fairness to Taxpayers

Two pieces of legislation approved by the U.S. House Natural Resources Committee will undermine important Indigenous and wildlife protections and perpetuate an undue burden on taxpayers. 

The Alaska’s Right to Produce Act would reinstate canceled oil and gas leases in the coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, which is home to the Gwich’in People and wildlife such as polar bears and porcupine caribou. The Restoring American Energy Dominance Act would block the Bureau of Land Management from issuing new rules to modernize oil and gas leasing on public lands, including an important measure that would require oil and gas companies to pay for the cleanup of abandoned oil and gas wells.

“The coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is critical for sustaining both the Gwich’in People’s way of life and iconic wildlife, such as polar bears, porcupine caribou, and hundreds of species of migratory birds. Oil and gas development in the crown jewel of the national wildlife refuge system makes no sense,” said David Willms, associate vice president for public lands at the National Wildlife Federation. “In addition, the Bureau of Land Management has proposed new rules that would update the oil and gas leasing system on public lands, including ensuring that oil and gas companies – not taxpayers — pay to clean up the lands that they use. Pollutants released from abandoned wells threaten wildlife, water, and lands upon which we rely.  We cannot support legislation that makes clean-up harder and burdens taxpayers.”

“The Bureau of Land Management’s plan to modernize oil and gas leasing has broad support from the public – and for good reason. Requiring oil and gas companies to pay for the messes they leave behind means abandoned wells will no longer be allowed to poison the lands and water where wildlife live and where so many of us recreate,” said Camilla Simon, executive director of Hispanics Enjoying Camping, Hunting, and the Outdoors (HECHO). “Legislation that tries to prevent these reforms from being enacted is counter-productive and will ultimately cost taxpayers billions of dollars.”