The Center for Biological Diversity and Defenders of Wildlife today petitioned the US Fish and Wildlife Service to protect the dunes sagebrush lizard under the Endangered Species Act.  The Texas Oil & Gas Association issued the following statement. 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 8, 2018

The following can be attributed to Todd Staples, president of the Texas Oil & Gas Association:

“Texas oil and natural gas companies and private landowners have been working together for years to protect the dunes sagebrush lizard. The industry has invested millions of dollars in voluntary conservation efforts that are working to protect the species and its habitat.  Listing the species remains unwarranted and would shut down significant oil and natural gas production and activity, which is the intent of the groups filing this latest petition.  Like previous attempts to list the dunes sagebrush lizard, this filing has nothing to do with the lizard’s habitat.  These groups routinely use the federal government to raise money to fund an anti-oil and gas agenda, wasting tax dollars and eroding our national energy and economic security.”

+++