FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
December 21, 2005

Contacts:                                          
William Lutz     202.772.0269       
Deborah Bagocius 202.772.0239

ARCTIC NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE STAYS WILD DEFENDERS OF WILDLIFE DECLARES VICTORY

Senate Vote Stops Pro-Drilling Forces

Washington, DC - Defenders of Wildlife hailed today's vote to block language from the Defense Appropriations bill that would have authorized oil and gas drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, calling it one of the most significant conservation victories in recent years.

"The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge will remain wild and free," stated Rodger Schlickeisen, Defenders of Wildlife president. "Millions of Americans recognized the need to keep the Arctic Refuge free from oil and gas drilling and they made their voices heard. The sneaky, backdoor attempts by some powerful pro-drilling proponents to sidestep our democratic process didn't work. Americans understand the immense value of this spectacular refuge and did their part to save one of our nation's greatest wildlife areas. This is a huge repudiation of Senator Ted Stevens, who has long pressed to open the refuge, and a big loss for President Bush who said opening the refuge is a centerpiece of his energy policy."

The Arctic drilling language was stripped from the Defense Appropriations bill after a handful of principled Republicans joined Senate Democrats to protest the inclusion of the extraneous provision in a bill intended for our troops.

"Senate Democrats, led by Harry Reid (NV) and Maria Cantwell (WA), and two very brave Senate Republicans, Lincoln Chafee (RI) and Mike DeWine (OH), are to be commended for their principled stand," added Schlickeisen. "When challenged by pro-drilling Senators to abandon their support for the Senate's own rules, and to sacrifice the Arctic Refuge, these principled leaders did not blink. Every American owes them a debt of gratitude."

"Drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge was never part of a sustainable or reliable energy policy. It won't help with gas prices or reduce our dependence on foreign oil. It's simply not worth destroying this pristine wilderness. The American public has to be very pleased that the coastal plain of the refuge did not become our country's last sacrifice to a sadly outdated energy policy," stated Schlickeisen.

Defenders of Wildlife fully expects pro-drilling forces to try yet again to open the refuge to drilling. "They came so close this time. They should give up, but probably won't," said Schlickeisen. "Senator Stevens has shown that he will stop at nothing, not even harming the U.S. Senate, to get his way. While we won this round, we will continue working to protect this special refuge for future generations. We will not relent and we will remain ever vigilant in the days ahead."