Washington, D.C. — Center for American Progress Vice President for Energy and Environment Policy Christy Goldfuss issued the following statement on President Donald Trump’s executive order reversing the ban on oil and gas leases in the Arctic and Outer Continental Shelf and attacking national marine sanctuaries and marine national monuments.
On his 100th day, President Trump put the exclamation point on the most historic run ever seen in American politics to give the future to polluters at the risk of public health and safety. The Arctic Ocean is a fragile environment that must always be protected by the highest safety standards. It would take 10 years to 20 years to develop the oil and gas resources in the Arctic Ocean even if the economics made sense today. In that time frame, we must aggressively move away from fossil fuel development toward clean and renewable energy sources. Therefore, the oil and gas in the Arctic should never be developed if we want to protect the planet we share. On the eve of the People’s Climate March, this is an opportunity to unequivocally express our anger, frustration, and willingness to fight for our children’s future.
For more information on this topic or to speak with an expert, contact Tom Caiazza at [email protected] or 202.481.7141.