Op-ed: Corporate ‘Shell’ game on Arctic drilling

Permits? Now you see them, now you don’t …

The pristine Chukchi Sea, between Alaska and Russia, viewed from a NASA satellite.

By Bob Berwyn

SUMMIT COUNTY — Facing pressure from shareholders to produce oil in the Arctic, Shell is pushing ahead with plans for exploratory drilling even though the company apparently can’t meet standards set to protect the environment.

Last week, the company said its drillship Noble Discovery won’t be able to meet air quality emission standards. Shell is asking the EPA to relax those rules, set to protect public health and the environment. Similarly, it’s not at all clear if the company can meet its obligations to clean up a spill with existing equipment.

With only a few short months left to sink those first test shafts, the only question remaining is whether the federal government and courts will play along with the corporate “Shell” game. (more…)

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