Arctic Refuge Alert for West Coasters

An earlier alert was posted, but our West Coast readers might have missed it. Possibly as soon as tomorrow the Senate will vote on allowing drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Defenders of Wildlife says all senators need to be called, but especially these people:

McCain, John- (R - AZ) [phone]
Nelson, Bill- (D - FL) [phone]
Martinez, Mel- (R - FL) [phone]
Snowe, Olympia J.- (R - ME) [phone]
Collins, Susan M.- (R - ME) 202) 224-2523
DeWine, Mike- (R - OH) [phone]
Smith, Gordon H.- (R - OR) [phone]
Specter, Arlen- (R - PA) [phone]
Santorum, Rick- (R - PA) 202) 224-6324

And keep in mind that if the vote is tied, Dick Dick will get to break it. Do you really want to give him that victory?!

Yet again, your senators need to be told that YOU do not want drilling in YOUR Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. You own it, don't forget. And don't let your guard down. This is a big vote. Contact your senators tonight!

These are your talking points from the Defenders of Wildlife:

The Arctic Refuge is the single most important onshore denning site for America's vanishing polar bears and their cubs. It is home to caribou, arctic foxes, and other treasured wildlife. And it is an important stop for millions of migratory birds from all over the United States and Canada.

Drilling and the transportation and infrastructure needed to support it could wreak havoc on these special critters and the habitat they need to survive. A recently disclosed pipeline leak in Alaska dumped more than 200,000 gallons of oil at an important caribou crossing.

And who could forget the tragic Exxon Valdez spill? The Valdez spill is believed to have killed hundreds of bald eagles and harbor seals, and harmed many more species -- some of which have yet to recover.

Is it worth it? At peak production (almost 20 years from now), the refuge could only provide only 3% of U.S. oil needs. And there is absolutely no guarantee that oil from the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge would not be sold to China, India, or other major oil-consuming countries.

Liberals don't give up. Keep fighting for the Arctic Refuge!