In response to the Obama Administration’s Proposed 2017-2022 Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program, Ocean Conservancy issued the following statement from Andrew Hartsig, director of the Arctic program:

“The Obama Administration has proposed a mixed bag of an oil and gas leasing program even as the country grapples with climate change, a recovering economy and a global push toward sustainable energy sources.

“Ocean Conservancy welcomes the Administration’s decision not to allow leasing in the Atlantic Ocean. These federal waters are a vital habitat for marine mammals and fish, and support thousands of coastal communities and billions of dollars in business from fishing, tourism and more. The proposed program eliminates the threat of Atlantic drilling for years to come, which is a big step in the right direction.

“We are greatly disappointed by the Administration’s willingness to allow drilling in the Arctic. Drilling in this region is incredibly risky and undermines the recent commitment by the Administration and the Government of Canada to tackle climate change in the Arctic. Risky oil and gas development are still in the draft plan despite the significant risks of a major oil spill that would be all but impossible to clean up in remote and icy Arctic waters. A major oil spill could significantly impact local livelihoods, endanger wildlife and forever change one of the last pristine places on the planet already facing an uncertain future because of climate change. While we appreciate the Administration’s recognition of the importance of subsistence activities in the Arctic, the proposed plan demonstrates a disappointing lack of leadership in tackling climate change in our own backyard.

“Recovering from a major oil spill is already a reality for the Gulf of Mexico, which is still reeling from the Deepwater Horizon disaster. Ocean Conservancy calls for increased investments in response technologies and robust safeguards to deal with spills. We also ask for government revenues from leases to be invested in environmental restoration projects to address the impacts of oil and gas drilling and increase the health and vitality of the ecosystems that millions of people rely on for their food work and play.

“The ocean is one of America’s greatest natural resources. We call on the Obama Administration to ensure that our ocean and the people that most depend on it continue to thrive.”

Ocean Conservancy is working with you to protect the ocean from today’s greatest global challenges. Together, we create science-based solutions for a healthy ocean and the wildlife and communities that depend on it. For more information, visit www.oceanconservancy.org, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.