House Dems urge Interior to cancel Bush-era leases

摘要

More than 30 House Democrats are urging Interior Secretary Sally Jewell to cancel oil and gas leases issued by the George W. Bush administration to drill in Alaska's Chukchi Sea, arguing that a new environmental review shows increased risks of oil spills. "In light of the long history of legal disputes around this lease sale and the near complete inability to respond to an oil spill in this remote and sensitive region, we believe that no leasing should proceed in the Arctic Ocean," said the letter, spearheaded by Rep. Jared Huffman (DCalif.). "Your decision on Lease Sale 193 will set a precedent for our actions on drilling, climate change and protection of the Arctic region."