The U.S. government may allow Shell to drill for oil and gas in the Arctic Ocean as soon as 2015
There’s a 75 percent chance of a large spill if oil companies like Shell are allowed to develop and produce in Alaska, according to a new environmental impact study. A major oil spill in the Arctic could have severe impacts on the marine environment and all the wildlife and people who depend it.
Join Ocean Conservancy in protecting the Arctic by telling the Bureau of Ocean Management to say no to risky offshore drilling in the Arctic.
I urge you not to affirm Lease Sale 193, and to say no to risky offshore oil and gas drilling in the Arctic. The Chukchi Sea is an enormously productive marine environment used by a diverse array of wildlife including walruses, ice-dependent seals, sea birds, polar bears, and bowhead and beluga whales. The region is also home to vibrant communities that depend on a clean and healthy ocean environment.
The latest environmental analysis predicts a 75% chance of a large oil spill if the offshore leases lead to production and development.
A major oil spill in the Chukchi Sea could have disastrous consequences for the marine ecosystem and the wildlife and people who depend on it. Given the region's remoteness, extreme weather, and lack of infrastructure, cleaning up an oil spill in the Arctic Ocean would be all but impossible.
Even now, an unmanned barge carrying 950 gallons of diesel fuel is drifting in the Arctic Ocean after it broke loose from its tug during a severe storm. Adverse weather conditions, advancing sea ice, and lack of response vessels combined to prevent recovery of the barge, which will likely spend the winter trapped in the Arctic ice. This is just one example of the challenge of operating in the Arctic environment. Shell's error-plagued 2012 drilling season is another warning that oil and gas companies are not able to operate safely and responsibly in the Arctic at this time.
[Your Comments]
Please say no to risky drilling in the Arctic and select the "no action" alternative.
