The Club and our allies in both conservation and Native Alaskan organizations (such as the Native Village of Point Hope, Defenders of Wildlife, National Audubon Society, and NRDC) have led the way to stop Shell’s efforts in the region by challenging drilling permits and leases. We also have continually reminded the public of one simple truth: as we have seen from Exxon Valdez to BP, oil companies like Shell have never demonstrated that they are capable of cleaning up the own messes:
“It’s irresponsible for Shell to be pursuing dangerous offshore oil development when they know they can’t clean up oil spills in the Arctic’s broken sea ice. Instead of putting our children’s heritage at risk, we should be investing in the clean energy economy, which will create jobs, fight global warming, and leave our last wild places intact,” said Dan Ritzman, Sierra Club Alaska Program Director.
Shell has blamed its delayed drilling pursuits on what what it perceives as unnecessary and burdensome government regulations. With $3.5 billion invested in Arctic exploration programs in the Chukchi and Beaufort Seas, the company intends to resume its efforts in 2012.
We will continue ours as well.
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