SIERRA CLUB TO RUN ADS THANKING SENATORS FOR PROTECTING ARCTIC REFUGE, BIDDING THEM TO CONTINUE THE FIGHT

Washington, DC: The Sierra Club tomorrow will launch radio ads in seven states, thanking Senators who voted to protect the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge from oil drilling and urging them to support a cleaner, cheaper and safer energy policy. Unfortunately, while the Senate energy bill does not open the Refuge for oil drilling, that wilderness could be opened for drilling when the House and Senate versions of the bill are combined later this year.

The ad also asks Senators to keep Arctic oil drilling out of the House and Senate compromise energy bill. The radio ads will run in Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Georgia, Iowa, Missouri and South Dakota.

"While we applaud the Senate for this victory on the Arctic Refuge, the fight is not over yet," said Carl Pope, executive director of the Sierra Club. "The oil industry isn't finished with its attempt to destroy this natural treasure. The public said they want the Arctic Refuge protected for future generations, and their Senators heard them loud and clear. Americans know that drilling the Arctic Refuge will do nothing to reduce our dependence on foreign oil. We hope Senators will continue to ward off the oil industry when the Senate and House bills are reconciled later this year."

Last week, the Senate voted 54 to 46 against allowing oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. However, the House of Representatives included a drilling provision in their version of the legislation. This discrepancy will have to be reconciled in a conference committee.

Arctic drilling would do virtually nothing to reduce our dependence on foreign oil or increase our national security. Government estimates indicate that there is less than a six month supply of oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and even the oil industry admits it would take ten years to make it to U.S. markets. Rather than drilling this national treasure, the single biggest step we can take to reduce our dependence on oil is to make our cars, light trucks and SUVs go farther on a gallon of gas.

Sample script to follow. To receive a copy of the ad, please contact Wendy Balazik at 202-675-2383.