U.S. Sen. Cory Gardner professes to be a supporter of public land because the majority of Coloradans value and support protecting public land. Colorado’s majestic mountains and canyons attract tourists from around the world who add billions of dollars to Colorado’s economy.
However, Sen. Gardner just voted to drill and destroy one of America’s greatest public lands, the Coastal Plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
As a member of the budget committee, Sen. Gardner is directly responsible for including drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in the budget bill. He and other Republicans say revenue from drilling there is needed in the budget. Since oil is selling for $50 a barrel and it costs $90 a barrel to extract it in the Arctic, there is actually a loss of revenue for the taxpayer. Taxpayers also pay for all roads, drilling pads and other infrastructure necessary for drilling on public land, increasing the burden to taxpayers.
Sen. Gardner needs to be held accountable for voting against the best interests of Coloradans, and voting to destroy one of America’s most majestic, iconic places.
Phyllis Mains
Cortez
