Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Barack Obama administration blocks new oil and gas drilling in Arctic Ocean

A five-year offshore drilling plan blocks sale of new oil and gas drilling rights in the Chukchi and Beaufort seas north of Alaska

Matthew Daly
Friday 18 November 2016 21:42 GMT
Comments
The move by Mr Obama's administration has been praised by environmentalists
The move by Mr Obama's administration has been praised by environmentalists (Getty Images)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

The Obama administration is blocking new oil and gas drilling in the Arctic Ocean, handing a victory to environmentalists who say industrial activity in the icy waters will harm whales, walruses and other wildlife and exacerbate global warming.

A five-year offshore drilling plan announced on Friday blocks planned sale of new oil and gas drilling rights in the Chukchi and Beaufort seas north of Alaska. The plan allows drilling to go forward in Alaska's Cook Inlet southwest of Anchorage.

The blueprint for drilling from 2017 to 2022 can be rewritten by President-elect Donald Trump, in a process that could take months or years.

Besides Cook Inlet, the plan also allows drilling in the Gulf of Mexico, long the centre of US offshore oil production. Ten of the 11 lease sales proposed in the five-year plan are in the Gulf, mostly off the coasts of Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas and Alabama.

Confirming a decision announced this spring, the five-year plan also bars drilling in the Atlantic Ocean.

"The plan focuses lease sales in the best places - those with the highest resource potential, lowest conflict and established infrastructure - and removes regions that are simply not right to lease," said Interior Secretary Sally Jewell.

"Given the unique and challenging Arctic environment and industry's declining interest in the area, forgoing lease sales in the Arctic is the right path forward," Ms Jewell said.

Industry representatives reacted bitterly, calling the decision political and not supported by the facts.

"The arrogance of the decision is unfathomable, but unfortunately not surprising," said Randall Luthi, president of the National Ocean Industries Association, an industry group.

"Once again, we see the attitude that Washington knows best — an attitude that contributed to last week's election results," Mr Luthi said, referring to Mr Trump's surprise victory over Democrat Hillary Clinton.

More than 70 per cent of Alaskans, including a majority of Alaska Natives, support offshore drilling, Mr Luthi said, as do the state's three Republican members of Congress.

Jacqueline Savitz, senior vice president of Oceana, an environmental group, hailed the announcement and praised Mr Obama and Ms Jewell for "protecting our coasts from dirty and dangerous offshore drilling."

The announcement "demonstrates a commitment to prioritising common sense, economics and science ahead of industry favoritism and politics as usual," Ms Savitz said.

Nearly 400 scientists signed a letter this summer urging Mr Obama to eliminate the possibility of Arctic offshore drilling.

Associated Press

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in