WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Ranking Member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), released the following statement regarding the Bureau of Land Management’s announcement today of a 60-day public scoping period to begin the preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement for oil and gas drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge: 

“Drilling is fundamentally inconsistent with the purpose of the refuge. Ignoring that reality and hurtling towards a pre-determined outcome is a recipe for disaster and a massive waste of taxpayer dollars,” said Senator Cantwell.  “The Trump-Zinke scheme to convert the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge into an oilfield has been a sham process from the very beginning. I will continue to fight any effort to destroy America’s most iconic wildlife refuge every step of the way.”

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