Merkley Introduces Major New Legislation to Stop New Fossil Fuel Leases on Federal Lands

Statement

Today, Oregon's Senator Jeff Merkley--joined by leading environmental advocates--introduced the Keep It in the Ground Act, major new legislation to help accelerate the transition to clean energy by ending all new federal leases for oil, gas or coal extraction on public lands and waters.

"Climate change is already impacting our world through greater forest fires and droughts, with serious effects on our farming, fishing and forest economies. The main cause is carbon pollution, and the impacts will only get worse in the coming decades if we keep burning fossil fuels unchecked," said Merkley. "One key part of the solution is lying literally beneath our feet. A major contribution to this challenge would be stopping new fossil fuel leases on our public lands that lock in oil, gas and coal extraction for decades into the future. Our public lands should be managed for the public good, not for private profit.

"We, together, must accelerate the transition from a fossil fuel economy to a clean energy economy," continued Merkley. "In doing so, we will create huge numbers of good paying jobs. But we need to make sure that we don't leave any of our workers behind. They've spent their lives providing the energy that has fueled tremendous growth in our economy, often at the expense of their health and wellbeing. This must not be a green versus blue transition, but a green and blue movement, working together, side by side."

"We are taking on the Koch brothers and some of the most powerful political forces in the world who are more concerned with short-term profits than the future of the planet," said Senator Bernie Sanders. "I've got four kids and I've got seven beautiful grandchildren. We have a moral responsibility to leave our kids a planet that is healthy and inhabitable."

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