Historic Senate Vote Protects U.S. Wilderness
The Senate passed a bill on Sunday expanding wilderness protection more than any legislation in the past 25 years.
[Creative Commons photo via rjime31]
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Despite resistance from some GOP Senators, the collection of bills passed 66-12. Some Senators complained that the bills were full of “pet projects.” They also argued that, since they did not allow for oil and gas drilling on these Federal lands, they would increase our dependence on foreign oil. While this might seem like a downside to some, data shows that increased domestic drilling would only supply a tiny fraction of the U.S.’s oil needs. It makes no sense that protecting these areas from future drilling would somehow decrease our domestic oil supply. Since we weren’t drilling on that land, it isn’t part of our domestic oil supply, only a potential part.
Environmentalists are calling these bills a huge step in the right direction. Christy Goldfuss of Environment America said:
By voting to protect mountains and pristine wildlands, Congress is starting out on the right foot. This Congress is serious about protecting the environment and the outstanding lands that Americans treasure.
It’s a good day for this country’s trees and critters!
