Justice Dept. strikes back against Alaska gov on drilling lawsuit

[cal04]

Source: The Hill

The Obama administration is urging a federal court to nix litigation brought by Alaska Gov. Sean Parnell (R) that accuses the Interior Department of illegally blocking oil-and-gas drilling in federal waters off the state’s coast.

Justice Department attorneys filed a motion Friday that alleges the state lacked standing to bring the lawsuit in September. The state “fails to show any procedural or substantive injury whatsoever,” DOJ claims in the filing with a federal district court in Alaska.

State officials want Interior to give Royal Dutch Shell a green light to conduct exploratory drilling in the Beaufort Sea (the company has, for now, backed off plans to drill in the adjoining Chukchi Sea), and more broadly foster development in Arctic waters thought to contain big hydrocarbon resources.

(snip)
“We are taking a cautious approach to offshore oil and gas development as we strengthen safety and oversight of offshore oil and gas operations. This includes the Arctic which presents unique environmental challenges,” Interior spokeswoman Kendra Barkoff said in a statement Saturday.


Read more: http://thehill.com/blogs/e2-wire/677-e2-wire/127995-justice-dept-strikes-back-against-alaska-gov-on-drilling-lawsuit

[babylonsister]

1. Good. Rec'd. nt

[blue_roses_lib]

2. +1 n/t

[JTFrog]

3. K&R!

[Ikonoklast]

4. Once again, Obama caves to Big Oil.

What?


Oh.



Never mind.