We've got a big problem, friend. One of Biden's first acts as president was to enact a pause on all oil and gas leasing on public lands in order to undertake a top-to-bottom review of the rigged leasing system — leases Trump was trying to finalize just days before he left office.

In response, the oil and gas industry is making an urgent push to undermine this leasing pause: running massive PR efforts, launching lawsuits, and getting their congressional allies to introduce bills to block the moratorium.

So far, we've staved them off. Most recently, there was a push to tie COVID relief to lifting the pause on drilling. We need to be ready for what comes next. Bills looking to reopen leasing on public lands are still being pushed — the problem is that after months (years, really) of must-win fights against the Trump administration, our resources are tight. We've set a goal of raising $50,000 by the end of the month — and a group of donors has agreed to triple match every contribution.

We're asking you to show up — your donation will be matched 3x. We can win in Congress, but only if you chip in to help. Even $5 is enough to make a difference »

This isn't the only environmental fight we're facing right now, friend. President Biden announced last week that 40% of the benefits from the $2 trillion he's pledged to fight climate change will go to communities that have suffered the most from pollution. This is huge.

LCV and other partners are working hard to ensure these communities get the resources they've been promised —but it's going to be a knock-down, drag-out fight. Republican leadership in Congress is already preparing for this to be a complicated challenge and to water down the policy. We're just starting to get environmental justice on the table after Trump's damage the past four years, and we're already getting ready for pushback on this inarguably compelling and relevant policy direction.

The groups that are gearing up to attack these climate policies may be well-funded, but the positions they're taking are ones that often harm their own constituents. Studies have shown that pollution tends to be higher in GOP-led states — by fighting against environmental justice, these lawmakers are hurting their own voters. All for oil money kickbacks.

We can appeal to these communities, and we can work with the White House and members of Congress to embrace equitable climate policies and reject the oil and gas CEOs. We've been doing it for years, and we can do it again. But we need your help.

Please, donate today. Help secure these environmental protections and oppose these attempts to stop climate justice. Donate now, and your gift will be TRIPLE matched. Even $5 makes a big difference in how we plan our work to fight the oil and gas industry »

It's still early in 2021 — we've got a long year ahead of us (and lots of battles in the House and Senate ahead of us too). There's so much work to do: we are rebuilding after four years of environmental damage, supporting new and inclusive environmental policies, and fighting off attacks from the oil and gas industry. It's a lot. And we can only do it all with your help.

We can't sit out any of these fights, and I know with your help we can show up every day for the environment. Thanks for all you do today and every day.

Onward,

Gene Karpinski
President
League of Conservation Voters