Senate climate leaders unveil landmark climate legislation

Media advisory for November 4, 2015

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senators Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) and Bernie Sanders (D-Vt.) will today introduce the Keep it in the Ground Act of 2015. The bill prohibits the issuance of new leases or renewal of non-producing leases for coal, oil and natural gas on all federal lands and waters. Unleased fossil fuels on federal lands and waters account for 450 billion tons of potential carbon emissions.

Senators Merkley and Sanders will be joined by 350.org co-founder Bill McKibben, Sierra Club President Aaron Mair, Tribal Rights Attorney Tara Houska, and other national climate leaders and activists to announce the bill at the Senate Swamp at noon.

What: Rally to unveil landmark climate legislation

Where: The Senate Swamp, across from the East Front of the Capitol near Constitution Ave and Delaware Ave. NE

When: Wednesday, November 4 at 12 p.m. EST

Who: Senator Jeff Merkley, Senator Bernie Sanders, Bill McKibben, Aaron Mair, Tara Houska, and national climate leaders and activists

Background: The Potential Greenhouse Gas Emissions of U.S. Federal Fossil Fuels

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Expert contact: Marissa Knodel, (763) 355-4763, [email protected]
Communications contact: Kate Colwell, (202) 222-0744, [email protected]