Print This Page 
Adjust Text Size
Media Center

Media Center
Rep. Edward J. Markey, Chairman - Stay Connected with Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and RSS Feeds
The Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming addressed our nation's energy, economic and national security challenges during the 110th and 111th Congresses.

This is an archived version of the committee's website, where the public, students and the media can continue to access and learn from our work.
subscribe

Markey: Polar Bear Told to Sink or Swim

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Select Committee, 202-225-4081

Markey: Polar Bear Told to Sink or Swim

Bush Admin. Gives Gift to Big Oil, Short Shrift to Polar Bear, Says Chairman

WASHINGTON (May 14, 2008) – Rep. Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Chairman of the Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming, which held a hearing on the plight of the polar bear and has pushed for the listing of the bear, reacted today to the decision of the Bush administration to list the polar bear as threatened under the Endangered Species Act due to global warming. The administration included exemptions to the decision, however, that won’t allow the needed reductions of global warming pollution and will allow oil drilling to continue in a major polar bear habitat.

Below is the statement of Chairman Markey:

“If the Bush administration is forcing the polar bear to sink or swim, how can they be trusted to save humankind from global warming?

“After years of delay, the Bush administration was forced to face the reality that global warming has endangered the polar bear and that the polar bear needs to be placed on the Endangered Species Act.

“But the administration has also simultaneously announced a rule aimed at allowing oil and gas drilling in the Arctic to continue unchecked even in the face of the polar bear's threatened extinction.

“Essentially, the administration is giving a gift to Big Oil, and short shrift to the polar bear.”

# # #

PLEASE NOTE: The House Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming was created to explore American clean energy solutions that end our reliance on foreign oil and reduce carbon pollution.

The Select Committee was active during the 110th and 111th Congresses. This is an archived version of the website, to ensure that the public has ongoing access to the Select Committee record. This website, including external links, will not be updated after Jan. 3rd, 2010.

Return to Press Releases »

Add to your del.icio.us del.icio.us   Digg this story Digg this   Reddit Reddit   Stumble it Stumbleupon  


 Print This Page