PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • January 5, 2026
The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, renowned for its incomparable ecological values, cultural significance and climate importance, is again threatened by the current administration. Drilling in the irreplaceable Arctic landscape is a waste of taxpayer dollars: it will not raise money to balance the budget. The first mandated lease raised less than 1% of the nearly $2 billion in revenue promised and was canceled. The second lease sale drew no bids and raised no dollars. This year, Republicans in Congress mandated four lease sales in the Refuge. And a new resolution passed in October allows oil and gas corporations to sidestep essential environmental protections. Drilling in the Arctic would exacerbate the climate crisis at our doorsteps in Maine. Urge Sens. Collins and King to co-sponsor the Arctic Refuge Protection Act and thank Rep. Pingree for doing so. ~ Daniel Tandy, Maine Alaska Coalition, former National Park Service ranger in Alaska, Westbrook