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Oil spill could mean stronger regulation to protect Arctic waters
The National Energy Board, Canada’s energy regulator, announced May 11 it was launching a full, public review of Arctic offshore drilling and safety requirements, in light of the catastrophic Gulf of Mexico oil spill. It was a welcome breakthrough for WWF, which has pressed for stronger regulation and safety measures to prevent and manage similar calamities in pristine Arctic waters.
Posted by Sara Falconer
“We were about to ask for this process and were gladly pre-empted,” said Craig Stewart, Director of WWF-Canada’s Arctic program. “We commend the NEB for taking this proactive step and look forward to working collaboratively to strengthen measures needed to protect the communities and wildlife of the Arctic.”
The Board’s move indicates a tougher stance toward oil companies which have been lobbying for relaxed safety requirements, particularly the use of same-season relief wells which the oil companies maintain are costly and impractical in Arctic conditions. The Board canceled the process examining the use of relief wells in favour of a broader review.
To date, there is no offshore drilling in Canada’s Arctic but BP, which owns the Gulf of Mexico well, and Imperial Oil have jointly paid $1.785 billion for the rights to develop several leases in the ecologically-sensitive Beaufort Sea by 2016. Seismic exploration by these companies is underway and exploratory drilling seems imminent.
An offshore drilling platform connected to land by a bridge, Beaufort Sea, Alaska, United States (c) National Geographic Stock / James P. Blair / WWF
4 Responses to Oil spill could mean stronger regulation to protect Arctic waters
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I’m just sick to my stomach by this horrible spill. Where can I find an accurate assessment of the true size of the oil spill? The information are all over the place. Thanks for your good post.
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I want to know whatever i can do to help with this thing! tHIs is devistating
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clean up the spilnow !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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At WWF-Canada, we're passionate about climate, water and people. Follow us for the latest from Panda HQ.
Contact your local and federal government authorities and let them know that you oppose offshore drilling in the Arctic!
Often regarded as the “pristine untouched landscape” or the Great White North, can you even fathom an oil spill up by the Yukon? What about the image of white polar bears covered in black oil?
Let Obama and Harper know that this oil spill is not an isolated incident.. Oil drilling involves risk and it is a risk we should not take.
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