Environmental groups filed a lawsuit against the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management Tuesday for approving drilling permits off Alaska’s northwest coast.
The drilling plans by Royal Dutch Shell are being opposed by 10 environmental groups that contend oil companies are not equipped to deal with a major blowout or spill in the Chukchi Sea.
Those concerns are somewhat spurred by the remoteness of the area which lacks deep-water ports, major airports and other infrastructure routinely present in other drilling areas.
The groups also claim that BOEM’s review of Shell’s exploratory drilling plan was rushed and cursory.
The environmental groups said Shell’s drill vessels and accompanying flotilla could hurt whales, walruses, and seals.
The lawsuit was filed in the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals.