Energy Policy and Legislation

Defenders of Wildlife is working to encourage Congress to pursue e nvironmentally sound and wildlife friendly energy policies. Defenders is a leader in the ongoing battle to protect the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge from Big Oil, in safeguarding our coasts from offshore drilling prospects and in ensuring that renewable energy sources consider impacts on wildlife and habitat.

Arctic National Wildlife Refuge

Addressing High Gas Prices

Addressing High Gas Prices Fact Sheet

Read this fact sheet to learn more about how we can address high gas prices without drilling in the Arctic Refuge.

Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is the crown jewel of America's National Wildlife Refuge System. Tucked away in the state's remote northeast corner, this 19.6-million-acre wildlife sanctuary is an awe-inspiring natural wonder: a sweeping expanse of tundra studded with marshes and lagoons and laced with rivers dramatically situated between the rugged foothills of the Brooks Range and the wide, icy waters of the Beaufort Sea.

The wildest place left in America, the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge – often called the "American Serengeti" – is home to caribou, muskoxen, arctic foxes, wolverines, grizzlies, and snow geese, all of which depend on this fragile, unique ecosystem for survival.

The nearby continental shelf provides the coastal waters with a rich nutrient base, which in turn supports a variety of marine mammals including the endangered bowhead whale. It is also the most important onshore denning habitat for America’s vanishing polar bears.

The Arctic has long been threatened by drilling prospects. It would be irresponsible to sacrifice this national treasure for a few months' supply of oil.

The Udall-Eisenhower Arctic Wilderness Act (H.R. 39), sponsored by Rep. Edward J. Markey (D-MA) and Rep. Jim Ramstad (R-MN), would designate the coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge as a wilderness area with permanent protections.

Only a "wilderness" designation will stop the ceaseless efforts to drill in this special place and focus on real energy solutions like energy efficiency and the development of clean, renewable alternatives to fossil fuels.

November 2007 Press Release: Conservationists Applaud Introduction of Senate Arctic Wilderness Legislation

Speak out for permanent protection of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Urge your Senators and Representative to support the Udall-Eisenhower Arctic Wilderness Act (H.R. 39) and permanent protections for this special place. Support this legislation.

More about the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge >>

Offshore Drilling

Offshore drilling can have very damaging effects on wildlife. Congressional efforts to undermine the offshore drilling moratorium and protection for our coasts have led to an ongoing battle.

In a back-door move during the final days of the 109th Congress, S. 3711, the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act was ultimately included in broad tax extender legislation passed by both the House and Senate.

While less sweeping in scope than an earlier House-passed bill, the final language is nonetheless damaging and was opposed by Defenders and other environmental groups. It undermines the offshore drilling moratorium by authorizing drilling in 8.3 million acres of currently protected waters in the eastern Gulf of Mexico, gives away billions of dollars in federal royalties to four Gulf States, offers no protections for any other coastal state – including Florida’s Atlantic coast, and costs tens of billions of dollars in lost revenues to the federal treasury over the next several decades. 

Recently, President Bush lifted the moratorium on offshore drilling in Alaska’s Bristol Bay.

Defenders of Wildlife is working to maintain the congressional moratorium on new offshore drilling that protects the East Coast, West coast, and Southwest Florida. We also advocate the protection of Bristol Bay from offshore drilling.  Read a May 1, 2008 letter in which Defenders and other conservation groups detail our opposition to oil and gas exploration in Bristol Bay.

Renewable Energy and Wildlife Habitat Considerations

Defenders of Wildlife strongly supports expanded development of renewable sources of energy. Doing so will help reduce emission of greenhouse gases, which contribute to global climate change.

Generating power using wind, solar and other renewable resources will reduce the need for coal-fired and nuclear power plants, which will improve air quality and reduce the dangers associated with nuclear power and radioactive waste.

Expansion of renewable energy resources in the U.S. will also help us reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and, in turn, our dependence on oil exporting nations.

While there are many advantages to expanding the use of renewable resources to generate heat electricity and replace gasoline as automotive fuel, we also recognize that even clean, renewable energy can have environmental impacts.

These impacts can take the form of land requirements for growing biomass energy or siting wind farms, the construction of new facilities and roads, and other issues associated with the production and transmission of renewable energy.

Defenders has taken a closer look at three types of renewable energy: biomass, wind and geothermal, and has issued recommendations for development of these resources in a manner that reduces adverse impacts on wildlife habitat and the environment.

More about Renewable Energy >>