Court to Rule on Shell’s Plan to Drill offshore of Arctic Refuge

Tuesday, December 4, the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit heard oral arguments regarding Shell Offshore Inc.’s plan to explore for oil and gas offshore of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.  This marks the latest development in what has been a groundbreaking lawsuit over development in America’s Arctic Ocean.  In April, Alaska Wilderness League, REDOIL (Resisting Environmental Destruction of Indigenous Lands), and several other conservation groups filed suit against the Minerals Management Service (MMS) for approving Shell’s proposal to explore for oil and gas in the Beaufort Sea.  In July, the court issued a temporary order halting all of Shell’s activities until the court heard the merits of the case and issued a decision.  The judge's final decision in the case is expected sometime in the spring.

The harsh, arctic waters of the Beaufort Sea present significant challenges to the oil industry.  The likelihood of a significant oil spill is acknowledged by the Bush administration and the oil industry has yet to demonstrate proven and effective means of recovering such a spill.  Despite these risks and the threats that they represent to polar bears, whales, and nearby subsistence-based communities, the MMS approved Shell’s plans through a rushed and inadequate process.  

The New York Times has recently covered the issue, highlighting the consequences of offshore development for local whaling communities that depend on the icy waters for their livelihood.  The well-written story acknowledges the oil and gas industry’s perspective but also manages to return humanity to an issue too often mired in numbers and rhetoric.  When discussing the Inupiat’s culture and perspective, the article helps remind us all what is truly at stake.  Click here to read the article.  Also, be sure to check out the 5-minute multimedia presentation that the New York Times created to supplement the story. 

Happy Birthday to the Arctic Refuge!