An injunction blocking Shell Oil from exploring for gas and oil in the Beaufort Sea has been upheld by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. 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 claimed Shell’s exploration plan violates the National Environmental Protection Act because the company was granted the permit without conducting an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).
The case will be back before a Court panel in December, which is well after the exploratory season in the frozen waters of the Arctic.
Catch the full story on tonight’s edition of Alaska News Nightly, broadcast on APRN stations statewide.
