Tucked into the Tax Cuts & Jobs Act, was 2 pages that had little to do with tax reform; the provision opened up approximately 1.6 million acres of the vast Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, a reversal of the federal policy that protected one of the most ecologically important landscapes in the Arctic. The process has been confusing and “off the rails,” according to Documents leaked to POLITICO Magazine, which reveal that the work of career scientists has been altered or disregarded; and, DOI has decided it will undertake no new studies as part of the review process, despite scientists’ concerns that key data is years out of date or doesn’t exist. “It’s clear the administration is desperate to jam through Arctic drilling while Trump is still in office; along with the tax cuts and slashing of regulations, opening up ANWR would be one of his most important and lasting achievements."
At www.politico.com
