Polar Bear Listing Welcome, But Conditions Raise Questions

May 14, 2008

Republicans for Environmental Protection, a national grassroots organization, welcomes today's listing of the polar bear as a threatened species, but said listing conditions announced by Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne raise questions about the administration's commitment to recover the species.

"Given that Secretary Kempthorne was under political pressure to reject a listing, we're happy that he went through with it, but we're concerned that the conditions he attached will hobble recovery, especially since the conditions are designed to wave through expanded oil and gas development in the Arctic," REP Government Affairs Director David Jenkins said.

"It is clear from the announcement that the administration cannot bring itself to take strong measures to address global warming, which is ultimately what will be necessary for polar bear recovery," REP Policy Director Jim DiPeso said.

"Contrary to the administration's inaction, Senator John McCain made it clear in his climate speech this week that he will act strongly and decisively to reduce carbon emissions, which are causing global warming and the resulting destruction of the polar bear's sea ice habitat," Jenkins said.

"The climate policy that Senator McCain supports will go a long way toward securing recovery of the polar bear and ensuring that this magnificent creature is thriving when our grandchildren inherit the earth," DiPeso said.