Today, the House Natural Resources Committee will vote on the Strengthening the Economy with Critical Untapped Resources to Expand American Energy (SECURE) Act. This Act would transfer management authority for the permitting of federal oil and gas resources to states, encourage offshore oil drilling while limiting commonplace safeguards, and gravely weaken protections for marine mammals.
Alaska Wilderness League, Animal Welfare Institute, Center for Biological Diversity, Earthjustice, Environment America, Natural Resources Defense Council, Sierra Club, Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance, Waterkeeper Alliance, Western Watersheds Project and The Wilderness Society issued the following statement:
“The SECURE Act is the latest shameless effort to sell out America’s public lands, waters and oceans to the highest bidder, yet again putting the interests and profits of the oil and gas industry before American families’ right to protect these areas for our children and grandchildren. This bill would not only threaten fragile habitats and rare wildlife species, it would also purposefully remove the public’s seat at the table when decisions are made about our shared natural resources. American families want to preserve these special areas, and this bill is an irresponsible scheme to shut the public out of the process and allow special interests to completely reshape how our shared lands, waters and natural resources are used.”
These organizations also sent this letter to the House Natural Resources Committee, outlining their concerns and opposition to the bill.
The SECURE Act prioritizes fracking and drilling for oil and gas over all other values, placing our public lands, waters, oceans and coastlines at significant risk and curtailing public involvement in their responsible management. In addition, this bill rolls back existing offshore safety rules that increase risks to offshore workers, the marine and coastal environment, and ocean life. Moreover, this bill exacerbates the already significant and increasing impacts of climate change on our citizens and environment.