Pro-energy and pro-consumer groups are pushing back against environmental activists' and Democratic presidential candidates' efforts to stop oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR).
Four Democratic presidential candidates—Sen. Cory Booker (D., NJ), Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D., Mass.), Sen. Kamala Harris (D., Calif.), and Sen. Bernie Sanders (D., Vt.)—joined Sen. Jeff Merkley's (D., Ore.) legislation blocking all drilling in ANWR. The Sierra Club and other environmental activist groups are protesting Exxon and Chevron's shareholder meetings.
Protesters appeared with signs reading "Keep it in the ground" and "Make Them Pay." Members of the Gwich'in tribe also appeared at the protests.
SHAMEFUL: @ExxonMobil refused to take questions from a Gwich'in leader at their shareholder meeting today about their plans for the Arctic Refuge #ProtectTheArctic #StandWithTheGwichin
— Sierra Club (@SierraClub) May 29, 2019
ANWR contains an estimated 10.4 billion barrels of oil, with the potential to produce up to 1.45 million barrels per day.
Several pro-energy and pro-consumer groups are challenging the protesters' claims and their efforts to disrupt the meetings.
"Same old lies from the greens. Leasing in #ANWR is limited to an area the size of Dulles airport. @Chevron shareholders should not be fooled by the @SierraClub charade," Tom Pyle, president of the American Energy Alliance tweeted.
Same old lies from the greens. Leasing in #ANWR is limited to an area the size of Dulles airport. @Chevron shareholders should not be fooled by the @SierraClub charade. https://t.co/euHaKcL3yU
— Tom Pyle (@TomJPyle) May 29, 2019
"@Sierraclub today is misguidedly protesting energy companies at shareholder meetings over potential future projects in Alaska, essentially protesting lower energy costs for consumers and #energyindependence for America," Consumer Action for a Strong Economy wrote in a separate tweet.
.@Sierraclub today is misguidedly protesting energy companies at shareholder meetings over potential future projects in Alaska, essentially protesting lower energy costs for consumers and #energyindependence for America pic.twitter.com/SiMjrfxBWi
— CASE (@CASE_forAmerica) May 29, 2019
The Clean Energy Alliance argued drilling in ANWR is good for Alaska and the country as a whole.
"It would provide jobs, generate tax revenue, and increase American energy and national security. #Oil and#NaturalGas are essential to everything in the modern economy and will remain so for a long time to come," the group tweeted.
Drilling in #ANWR is good for Alaska and America. It would provide jobs, generate tax revenue, and increase American energy and national security. #Oil and #NaturalGas are essential to everything in the modern economy and will remain so for a long time to come. https://t.co/D1HmH1WFG6
— Clear Energy Alliance (@clearenergy) May 29, 2019