Interior Department Cancels Arctic Ocean Oil and Gas Lease Sales for 2016-2017

ANCHORAGE, Alaska – Today the Obama Administration announced that it would not hold lease sales in the Chukchi and Beaufort Seas scheduled for 2016 and 2017 under the current five-year offshore oil and gas leasing program for 2016-2017. Audubon Alaska Policy Director Jim Adams issued the following statement:

“This common sense decision is good news for the Arctic Ocean and the people, birds and other wildlife that depend on it. Given Shell’s recent withdrawal from the Chukchi, the lease sales were likely to be unsuccessful and costly to the public.  We can’t drill for oil safely in the Arctic Ocean, and taking a loss or subsidizing companies to do it would just add insult to injury. For similar reasons, the Department of Interior’s decision not to extend Shell and Statoil’s current leases was the right thing to do.”

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Since 1977, Audubon Alaska's mission is to conserve the spectacular natural ecosystems of the state, focusing on birds, other wildlife, and their habitats, for the benefit and enjoyment of current and future generations. Audubon Alaska uses science to identify conservation priorities and support conservation actions and policies, with an emphasis on public lands and waters.

Now in its second century, the National Audubon Society is dedicated to protecting birds and other wildlife and the habitat that supports them. Our national network of community-based nature centers and chapters, scientific and educational programs, and advocacy on behalf of areas sustaining important bird populations, engage millions of people of all ages and backgrounds in conservation. Audubon Alaska, a state office of the National Audubon Society, has worked to conserve birds in the state since 1977.

Contact: Jim Adams, jadams@audubon.org, 907-276-7034