Chevron: Don’t drill in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge

Environment America delivered petitions with more than 40,000 names to the oil company asking it to commit to staying out of the pristine coastal plain

In an effort to protect the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, which is one of America’s greatest natural treasures, Environment America delivered petitions to Chevron on behalf of our supporters and Environmental Action, urging the oil company to commit to no future drilling in that awe-inspiring wild space.

Chevron previously drilled a test well in the refuge. However, the company did not participate in the first-ever lease sale for the refuge in January 2021. The lease sale itself was a failure, with only three bidders and the majority of leases being awarded to AIDEA, an Alaska state agency. However, in February 2021, Chevron moved to prevent its shareholders from considering a proposal from Green Century Capital Management°, Environment America’s affiliated socially responsible mutual fund company, which asked Chevron to commit to avoiding any more drilling in the refuge.

The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is home to polar bears, caribou and migratory birds. It is one of the last remaining pristine areas in the United States. Chevron should act with clarity and purpose when it comes to refuge and clearly commit to never drill there in the future.

Below is the letter Environment America and Environment Actional sent along with the 41,056 petition names:

*************************************************
Chevron CEO Michael K. Wirth
6001 Bollinger Canyon Road
San Ramon, CA 94583, USA

Dear Mr. Wirth,

On behalf of thousands of supporters of Environmental Action and Environment America, we ask that Chevron make a commitment never to drill in the coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Enclosed are two petitions signed by thousands of Americans who wish to see this wild and sacred place protected.

The Environmental Action petition, signed by 26,826 supporters says:

“The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is a safe haven for polar bears, caribou, wolves and millions of migratory birds — to name just a few of the species that depend on it. It’s one of the last places we should be drilling for oil and gas. Drilling would exact a tremendous cost on this beautiful wilderness and the wildlife that call it home. It would also be a risky and expensive proposition for your company. I’m calling on Chevron to pledge not to drill in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.”

The Environment America petition, signed by 14,230 supporters says:

“We, the undersigned, urge Chevron to abandon any and all plans to drill in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. The Arctic Refuge is a special place, home to polar bears, caribou, wolves, and millions of migratory birds, among other wildlife. And, due to this abundance of wildlife, for thousands of years the native Gwich’in people have depended on this biological jewel for survival, with a culture centered around the caribou herd. Drilling and development in the Arctic Refuge threatens both wildlife and the native Gwich’in people. It is too special and sacred a place to ruin.”
 
Thank you for considering this feedback as you make your future plans for the arctic.

Sincerely,

Ellen Montgomery
Environment America

Patrick Kelly-Fischer
Environmental Action

About Green Century Capital Management

°Green Century Capital Management, Inc. (Green Century) is the investment advisor to the Green Century Funds (The Funds). The Green Century Funds are the first family of fossil fuel free, responsible, and diversified mutual funds in the United States. Green Century Capital Management hosts an award-winning and in-house shareholder advocacy program and is the only mutual fund company in the U.S. wholly owned by environmental and public health nonprofit organizations.

*As of December 31, 2021, no securities mentioned were held in the portfolios of any of the Green Century Funds. References to specific securities, which will change due to ongoing management of the Funds, should not be construed as a recommendation by the Funds, their administrator, or their distributor.

You should carefully consider the Fund’s investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses before investing. To obtain a Prospectus that contains this and other information about the Funds please visit www.greencentury.com, email [email protected], or call 1-800-934-7336. Please read the Prospectus carefully before investing.

A sustainable investment strategy which incorporates environmental, social and governance criteria may result in lower or higher returns than an investment strategy that does not include such criteria.

Stocks will fluctuate in response to factors that may affect a single company, industry, sector, country, region or the market as a whole and may perform worse than the market. Foreign securities are subject to additional risks such as currency fluctuations, regional economic and political conditions, differences in accounting methods, and other unique risks compared to investing in securities of U.S. issuers. Bonds are subject to a variety of risks including interest rate, credit, and inflation risk. 

This information has been prepared from sources believed reliable. The views expressed are as the date of this writing and are those of the Advisor to the Funds.

The Green Century Funds are distributed by UMB Distribution Services, LLC. 235 W Galena Street, Milwaukee, WI 53212. 4/22

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Authors

Ellen Montgomery

Director, Public Lands Campaign, Environment America

Ellen runs campaigns to protect America's beautiful places, from local beachfronts to remote mountain peaks. Prior to her current role, Ellen worked as the organizing director for Environment America’s Climate Defenders campaign. Ellen lives in Denver, where she likes to hike in Colorado's mountains.

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