A plan that would allow Shell Oil to explore for gas and oil in the Beaufort Sea was before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals this afternoon, but the judges did not reach a decision. Back in July, the Court issued a temporary injunction to stop the drilling plan after several conservation groups, as well as the North Slope Borough and the Alaska Eskimo Whaling Commission, filed a joint lawsuit. They claim Shell’s exploration plan violates the National Environmental Protection Act because the company was granted the permit without conducting an environmental impact statement.
David Shurtleff, APRN – Anchorage
