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Urgent: The Senate is close to making a deal to lift the 40 year ban exporting crude oil. But before they think about doing that, there are some people they should hear from -- including YOU! Click here to hear why from climate justice youth, then call your senators and tell them: "The Ban Must Stand!"

Friend,

There is only one item on Big Oil's holiday wish list: End the 40 Year Ban on Crude Oil Exports. And even though Big Oil has been nothing but naughty, most exemplified by Exxon's multi-decade scandal of covering up climate science, a group of senators are still shopping for their present. These senators are willing to deal away our climate, public lands and health in exchange for a weak deal to support renewable energy in a must-pass spending bill.

Just today, Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), a member of the Democrat's leadership, stated, "An end to the ban is obviously being pushed hard by [Mitch] McConnell, and there are a couple of in our caucus that agree."1

Before any senator thinks about making a dirty deal that would allow more drilling, bomb trains and climate killing pollution, there are some people they need to hear from. We sat down with young, front line activists from historically black colleges here in Paris, many of whom come from communities that would be devastated by an increase in drilling and transportation of crude oil if the export ban is lifted. And you should hear how they react to the news and what it would mean for them. Their stories are compelling and deserve to be heard. 

Click here to listen to their stories, and then back these young leaders up by calling your senators today to tell them, "The Ban Must Stand."


These leaders are sad, and also angry that while they're in Paris pushing world leaders to act on climate, our so-called friends in Congress are considering a deal to do the exact opposite. The deal being considered is just plain bad: A few years' extension for clean energy tax credits in exchange for a permanent increase in drilling, spilling, bomb trains and other crude oil impacts. The deal is so bad, even Big Oil lobbyists and the Koch brothers don't like it. Though, Big Oil backers are pressing senators to reject any deal that would include expanding wind and solar power.2

Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) was quoted as saying, "We need to have a conversation about oil exports."1 But I think he and every senator needs to listen instead. They need to hear stories like the ones these students told us. They need to hear from their constituents (that's you) too. I hope you will join me in listening to these climate justice youth leaders and then make sure your senators hear them too by calling today and tell them no deal is worth risking our climate and communities. Please click here to take action.

Thanks for all you do,


Anthony and the Environmental Action Keep It In The Ground Crew. 

1. Schor, Elana. Democrats Might Give Big Oil a Big Win in Congress. Politico. December 7, 2015.

2. Schor, Elana and Everett, Burgess. Budget Deal Could Lift Oil Export Ban. Politico. December 3, 2015.

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