Washington D.C.- In response to the Department of the Interior’s announcement that they received no bids for the congressionally mandated oil and gas lease sale for the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, the League of Conservation Voters (LCV) released the following statement from LCV Conservation Program Director America Fitzpatrick:

“Drilling in the Arctic Refuge would destroy a sacred landscape and devastate wildlife that sustains local communities. The lack of interest in this lease sale demonstrates that drilling in this location would be unpopular with the public and bad for business. Despite this poor showing, Republicans in Congress are already pushing for more leasing in the Arctic Refuge, which today’s lack of interest proves would be a waste of time at best, and a disastrous decision at worst. LCV remains committed to restoring protections for this region, and applauds President Biden and Secretary Haaland for their ongoing leadership in protecting America’s Arctic.”

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