1. United States
2. Tenn.
3. Letter

I am writing to express my strong opposition to the Trump administration's plan to open the coastal plain of Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil and gas drilling. This decision, which fulfills a promise made by President Trump and congressional Republicans, is a grave mistake that prioritizes short-term profits over long-term environmental sustainability and energy security. The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is one of our nation's most sensitive wilderness areas, and opening it to drilling poses significant risks to its delicate ecosystem. Instead of subsidizing oil companies and expanding fossil fuel extraction, we should be investing in renewable energy sources that will create sustainable jobs and reduce our carbon footprint. The GOP bill passed last summer, which includes tax breaks and calls for at least four lease sales within the refuge over a 10-year period, is a step in the wrong direction. These subsidies to oil companies come at the expense of taxpayers and the environment. We should be phasing out these subsidies and redirecting those funds towards research, development, and implementation of clean energy technologies. Renewable energy is not only better for the environment but also for our economy in the long run. It creates more jobs per dollar invested than fossil fuels and provides energy security by reducing our dependence on finite resources. By investing in renewables, we can lead the global transition to clean energy, creating new industries and export opportunities for American businesses. I urge you to oppose any efforts to drill in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and to push for the redirection of oil subsidies towards renewable energy development. Please support legislation that promotes clean energy investment and helps transition our economy away from fossil fuels. Our future generations deserve a clean environment and a sustainable energy future. The time to act is now.