Clinton speaks out against Arctic oil after Obama gives Shell go ahead to drill
“The Arctic is a unique treasure,” Clinton said in a Twitter post. “Given what we know, it’s not worth the risk of drilling.”
On Monday, President Barack Obama’s administration gave Shell final approval to resume drilling the oil-rich Chukchi Sea off northern Alaska.
Shell interrupted its drilling program in the region in 2012 after suffering a series of mishaps, including losing control of an enormous rig, from which the Coast Guard had to rescue 18 workers.
The oil giant obtained the leases in the Chukchi during the administration of former President George W Bush. Since then it has spent about $7 billion on exploration in the Arctic, though oil production is at least a decade away.
Harsh conditions in the Chukchi have discouraged other oil companies from drilling there.
Shell’s determination to exploit oil and gas reserves in the area has spawned waves of protests and funding drives by environmentalists who want to protect whales, walruses and polar bears in a vulnerable region that scientists say is changing rapidly due to global warming.
Late last month, 13 Greenpeace activists hanging from a bridge in Oregon temporarily blocked Shell’s icebreaker, the Fennica, from reaching the Pacific Ocean to return to Alaska following repairs.
Undiscovered oil and gas
President Obama “must change the course on Arctic drilling set eight years ago by former President George W Bush and not perpetuate it,” said Michael Brune, head of the Sierra Club, the country’s oldest environmental group.
The club urged Obama to cancel sales of upcoming oil-zone leases and to remove the possibility of drilling in the Arctic Ocean.
Shell argues Arctic oil is needed to meet growing global demand.
The Arctic contains 20 percent of the world’s undiscovered oil and gas, the US government estimates, making it a coveted resource.
Arctic drilling is sure to be a contentious issue in the presidential campaign as more Arctic lease sales are scheduled for 2016 and 2017.
On other energy issues, Clinton has sought to balance environmental and economic concerns. Previously she said she would seek to phase out fossil fuel extraction and increase fees on companies operating on public lands in a way that does not disrupt the economy, if she becomes president.
Clinton has been careful not to comment on whether she would approve the Keystone XL oil pipeline from Canada ahead of an expected ruling by Obama.
(FRANCE 24 with REUTERS)
