By Pierre Bertrand | December 22, 2011 2:07 AM GMT Alaskan environmentalists are sounding the alarm bells this week, responding to two major oil industry victories in a state that has been a recurring flash point between environmental groups, legislators and the giants of petroleum exploration. The latest news to stir the seas came Monday, [...]
Posts Tagged ‘Polar Bears’
Conflicting federal interests exposed in Alaska drilling debate
The administration announced last week that it would continue to ban drilling offshore in the Eastern Gulf of Mexico and in the Atlantic Ocean, but it would let some drilling move ahead, including in the Arctic. But, officials including Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, made it clear they would look carefully at Shell’s proposal for the Beaufort.
Oil cos. expect battles over polar bear listing
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — The lawyers aren’t clearing their calendars just yet, but the oil industry is bracing for some courtroom battles to maintain its stake in Alaska’s oil-rich fields now that the Interior Department has listed polar bears as a threatened species. Shell said it’s too early to tell how the ruling will effect any of the company’s offshore plans.
Polar Bear Gets Threatened Status Because of Warming
Royal Dutch Shell Plc, the world’s second-largest oil company, was the biggest bidder, offering $2.1 billion for rights in the Chukchi Sea. Shell spokesman Curtis Smith said it’s “too early to tell” how the listing may effect its operations in the Chukchi and Beaufort seas.


Shell Blog RSS Feed