Walrus cows and their calves in the Chukchi Sea. Photo by Brad Benter / U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton on Tuesday announced her opposition to energy development off the coast of Alaska. “The Arctic is a unique treasure,” Clinton wrote on Twitter. “Given what we know, it’s not worth the risk of drilling.” Clinton's declaration came a day after the Interior Department gave final approval for Royal Dutch Shell to conduct exploratory oil drilling in the Arctic Ocean. The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement said it will monitor the work to limit the impacts on Native subsistence activities. “Activities conducted offshore Alaska are being held to the highest safety, environmental protection, and emergency response standards,” Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement Director Brian Salerno said in a press release on Monday. The approval came as President Barack Obama prepares to visit Alaska for his first extended trip to the 49th state. The Alaska Federation of Natives will hold a welcome ceremony for him on August 31 in Anchorage. Obama has said he will focus on climate change, an issue that has affected Alaska Natives, during his trip. Get the Story:
Clinton seeks distance from Obama on climate change issues (AP 8/19)
Disagreeing With President, Hillary Clinton Says She Opposes Drilling in Arctic Ocean (The New York Times 8/19)
Hillary Clinton breaks with Obama to oppose Arctic drilling (The Washington Post 8/18)
Approval of Arctic Drilling Comes Just Before Obama's Visit (AP 8/18)
Feds allow Shell to drill for oil in Arctic Ocean off Alaska (Alaska Dispatch News 8/17)
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DOI approves offshore drilling bid opposed by Alaska Natives (05/12)
Shell stops off-shore drilling in Alaska due to safety issues (9/18)
Shell sues Alaska Native opponent of off-shore development (3/5)
Alaska Natives challenge permit for offshore development (2/23)
Alaska Natives ask 9th Circuit to block off-shore drilling plans (9/30)
Alaska Natives criticize new analysis on drilling in Arctic Ocean (10/13)
DOI delays decision on off-shore drilling in Alaska (11/20)
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