Oil Drilling Approved in Arctic Waters

[The Straight Story]

The U.S. federal government has given permission for Shell Oil to begin drilling in the Beaufort Sea, which is north of Alaska. Neither the government, nor Shell Oil have adequate means of responding to an oil spill there, says Defenders of Wildlife. Without proper containment and rapid clean-up, an oil spill would likely be an ecological disaster. The planned drilling activity is right in the migration path of endangered bowhead whales which live in these icy waters. It could prevent them from reaching a feeding and resting area they have been using for some time. Disruption of their normal behavior could cause them to go off their normal breeding schedule. Additionally the noise of drilling and ice breaking could disrupt their normal feeding and resting, which might harm mothers and young calves.

“Proceeding with oil and gas drilling at this time is simple and plain lunacy. America’s Arctic is our last frontier, and this magnificent ecosystem supports a vast array of marine mammals: whales, polar bears, walrus, ice seals” said Chuck Clusen, an employee at the National Resources Defense Council. (Source: Bloomberg)

A recent report says there are still close ties between the oil industry and the U.S. government, “These new instances indicate that BOEMRE staff are connected to individuals and oil companies, which raises concerns about lax oversight and the integrity of the agency.” (Source: Trib.com)

Bowheads are named for their large skulls, which are used to break through ice. They typically can break through eight-inch-thick slabs, and once broke through 23 inches. They are about 50 to 60 feet long and can weigh up to 75 tons. Even at that size they can jump completely out of the water. Data about their lifespans is not abundant, but there is some indication they could live to the age of 100 years.

http://www.care2.com/greenliving/oil-drilling-approved-in-arctic-waters.html

[MadHound]

1. NWLC

No Water Left Clean.

[dana_b]

2. and a complete disregard for

other life.

[Auntie Bush]

5. I can't believe Obama could approve of drilling in the artic.

What the hell is he thinking? How can a spill EVER be cleaned up? It cant!!!! What a catastrophe that would be. I donate to NRDC to help fight these criminal acts that harm/kill wildlife. I hope you can help too...it's soooo important.

[digitaln3rd]

3. Obama looking out for the environment again.

:eyes:

[Bluebear]

8. He did campaign on "healing the planet"

What a bill of goods.

[saras]

4. Would have been a better headling if you'd mentined the Feds' approval

"The U.S. federal government has given permission for Shell Oil to begin drilling in the Beaufort Sea."

[Blue_In_AK]

6. Nearest Coast Guard base is in Kodiak,

almost 1,000 miles away.

Drilling up there offshore is idiotic. How are they going to clean up a spill under ice?

[meow mix]

7. taking good care of our "bounty"

its so great to have a republican in the wh

[kwolf68]

9. LOL

If I was part of the corporate oligarchy I'd want 4 more years of this President. Why not...they bought him off anyway.

With half the country is calling him a (LMMFAO) socialist, that's a perfect cover for allowing the Bush era policies in many instance to continue (tax, environment, war, financial sector).

What I fear however is Obama will lose and the media will say it was because he was too Liberal and the Democrats will become more Conservative.

Hell, that may not be a bad thing...because a lot of us are ready to jump ship. Another lurch to the right may do it.

[Bluebear]

10. Yes we can!

Clap louder!

[sabrina 1]

11. The Oil Corps rule the world and our leaders.

I don't know why they don't just buy themselves some crowns and rule openly. No one seems able or willing to stop them anyhow.

[QC]

12. I feel so hopeful! n/t

[Bluebear]

13. Chill the fuck out!

[QC]

16. He's got this!

[Bluebear]

19. ++++

[RegieRocker]

14. Oh great another spot to have uncontrollable oil gushing out.

[stuntcat]

20. and it WILL happen

there, I predicted something, August 27th 2011

[Exilednight]

15. Brought to you by the Obama administration. n/t

[WillyT]

17. Fucking Great...

:mad:

:nuke:

:puke:

:banghead:

[Fla_Democrat]

18. Damn that evil George Bush and his oil cronies...

Oh, wait, never mind.






:smoke:

[Bluebear]

21. K