Administration says drilling not a threat to polar bears

The leasing of the Chuckchi Sea sale is necessary step towards increasing the domestic supply of energy, wrote the director of the Minerals Management Service on the government agency’s Web site.

Among their primary arguments is that oil drilling can occur while protecting the habitats of polar bears and other animals.

  “Our decision comes down to the bare necessities:  Where do we want to get our energy?  Having a domestic supply is far more reliable and secure than relying upon foreign sources. Can we develop domestic supplies and provide protection for the environment and wildlife, including polar bears?  Yes, we can and should.”

The director says that oil spills are extremely unlikely, and that any drilling plans undergo rigorous scrutiny before being implemented.  He also notes that Congress did not take any actions to disapprove of the proposed plans.

It will be very interesting to see where this goes from here and what new information comes from the lawsuit.  This is one component of a long standing struggle between environmental groups and the Bush administration who already faces a great deal of criticism about his lack of action on environmental issues.

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