'Unconscionable': New Federal Analysis Paves Way for Arctic Plunder

[unhappycamper]

http://www.commondreams.org/news/2015/02/13/unconscionable-new-federal-analysis-paves-way-arctic-plunder



New environmental impact statement shows Interior Department willing "to cater to Shell’s drilling wishes," says environmental group.

'Unconscionable': New Federal Analysis Paves Way for Arctic Plunder
Andrea Germanos
Friday, February 13, 2015

The federal government on Thursday issued an updated assessment on fossil fuel activity in the Chukchi Sea that conservation groups fear paves the way for an Arctic disaster.

In January of 2013, conservationists claimed a "victory for the Arctic" when a federal appeals court ruled in favor of groups who had challenged the U.S. government's opening in 2008 of millions of acres in the Chukchi Sea to oil companies, called Lease Sale 193. The court found that the Bush administration hadn't adequately assessed environmental impacts of the sale.

In response to that court order, the Department of the Interior just issued its Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (FSEIS) for the sale.

The FSEIS states that it is based on a scenario involving exploration and development of 4.3 billion barrels of oil and 2.2 trillion cubic feet of natural gas. The "preferred alternative" stated in the assessment is allowing for leasing of 29.4 million acres in the area, which "would result in affirming the lease sale and all of the leases" offered in 2008.

[ladjf]

1. As long as humans are involved, money wins out in the end. nt

[newfie11]

2. Humans suck! Nt