Fast-tracking Oil and Gas Exploitation Wrong for America

WASHINGTON —Department of Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke indicated today he will order his agency to expedite permits for oil and gas extraction on public lands.

The following is a statement from Sharon Buccino, director of the Land & Wildlife program at the Natural Resources Defense Council:

“Fast-tracking oil and gas exploitation on our public lands is wrong for America. And it’s another sad example of the Trump administration’s fossil-fuel-first agenda that puts taxpayers, our health and our treasured public lands last.

“We’ll continue to resist this, and every other payoff to the oil and gas industries. Our precious public lands should be held in trust for all Americans—not sold off to those who would desecrate them for profit.”

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The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) is an international nonprofit environmental organization with more than 2 million members and online activists. Since 1970, our lawyers, scientists, and other environmental specialists have worked to protect the world's natural resources, public health, and the environment. NRDC has offices in New York City; Washington, D.C.; Los Angeles; San Francisco; Chicago; Bozeman, Montana; and Beijing. Visit us at www.nrdc.org and follow us on Twitter @NRDC.