Tweet
Trump administration reveals plans to open protected Arctic land to oil and gas development
Andrew Buncombe Seattle andrewBuncombe
20 minutes ago
1.9Kshares
The Independent US
The Trump administration has revealed details of a controversial plan to open up a pristine, protected area of the Arctic - a refuge for polar bears and Native Alaskans - to oil and gas development.
In a move that marked a significant step forward in its efforts to establish fossil fuel extraction in in Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, the government published a draft report of an environmental impact assessment.
The report says exploitation of the area, which Republicans have been seeking since the 1970s, would have the potential to impact everything from indigenous hunters and wildlife, to air and water quality. It also says there is the impact from increased greenhouse gas emissions from exploration and development.
Despite this, the interior ministry has said opening the refuge is the way for the country to go. In a statement, outgoing interior secretary Ryan Zinke called the move necessary.
“An energy-dominant America starts with an energy-dominant Alaska, and among the scores of accomplishments we have had at Interior under President Donald J Trump, taking these steps towards opening the 1002 section of Alaska's North Slope stands out among the most impactful towards bolstering America's economic strength and security,” he said.
Read more
Trump takes first step in aggressive effort to drill for oil in Alaska
“For decades, Alaskans on both sides of the aisle have overwhelmingly supported opening the 1002 to energy exploration and development. I commend the president for giving Alaskans a voice again in how their public lands are used.”
More follows…
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/w...-a8693611.html
Andrew Buncombe Seattle andrewBuncombe
20 minutes ago
1.9Kshares
The Independent US
The Trump administration has revealed details of a controversial plan to open up a pristine, protected area of the Arctic - a refuge for polar bears and Native Alaskans - to oil and gas development.
In a move that marked a significant step forward in its efforts to establish fossil fuel extraction in in Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, the government published a draft report of an environmental impact assessment.
The report says exploitation of the area, which Republicans have been seeking since the 1970s, would have the potential to impact everything from indigenous hunters and wildlife, to air and water quality. It also says there is the impact from increased greenhouse gas emissions from exploration and development.
Despite this, the interior ministry has said opening the refuge is the way for the country to go. In a statement, outgoing interior secretary Ryan Zinke called the move necessary.
“An energy-dominant America starts with an energy-dominant Alaska, and among the scores of accomplishments we have had at Interior under President Donald J Trump, taking these steps towards opening the 1002 section of Alaska's North Slope stands out among the most impactful towards bolstering America's economic strength and security,” he said.
Read more
Trump takes first step in aggressive effort to drill for oil in Alaska
“For decades, Alaskans on both sides of the aisle have overwhelmingly supported opening the 1002 to energy exploration and development. I commend the president for giving Alaskans a voice again in how their public lands are used.”
More follows…
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/w...-a8693611.html
Comment