The pristine waters of America’s Arctic Ocean are in danger. These waters provide critical habitat for iconic species such as polar bears, whales, and walrus that are already suffering the effects of dramatic climate change. Little is known about this region and about how this region may be affected by oil drilling.

Approving oil drilling is a move away from a clean energy economy and towards a deeper reliance on dirty fossil fuels while putting our Arctic Ocean and the wildlife that thrive there at unnecessary risk. Ultimately, drilling for oil in the Arctic Ocean is not consistent with a responsible course to combat climate change, something the President has committed to in his second term.

Additionally, after the failures of Shell Oil’s drilling efforts last year, the Administration needs to reassess its course before moving forward with drilling. Putting oil drilling rigs into sensitive waters where an oil spill could have catastrophic effects. Information is missing to assess the impacts of drilling, let alone responsibly manage it. And no technology currently exists to clean up oil spilled in frozen seas.

Urge Secretary Jewell to re-evaluate offshore oil drilling in these remote waters.