Keep it in the Ground Act will protect natural areas, climate

Environment America

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today Congressman Jared Huffman (D-Calif.) introduced the Keep It in the Ground Act, a House counterpart to the bill introduced by Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) last November. The Keep It in the Ground Act would accelerate the transition to clean energy by ending all federal leases, for oil, gas, or coal extraction on public lands and waters.
 
Rachel Richardson, director of Environment America’s Stop Drilling Program, praised the bill and issued this statement:
 
“We simply can’t drill, mine and burn more fossil fuels while global warming passes the point of no return. We’re already experiencing dangerous consequences of climate change — from drought, to superstorms, to rising seas — and scientists are clear that to avoid even more catastrophic impacts, we must transition to 100 percent clean, renewable energy. The Keep It in the Ground Act will protect our beaches, the fragile Arctic, and some of our most treasured natural areas — all while keeping dirty fuels in the ground where they belong.”