The federal government gave Royal Dutch Shell on Monday the final permit needed to drill for oil in the Arctic Ocean off the coast of Alaska, The Associated Press reports. It marks the first time they will be able to do so in more than 20 years.
The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement approved the drilling after Shell obtained a piece of equipment that would stop a possible well blowout. Before that, the company had been limited to drilling in the top sections of two Chukchi Sea wells.
Shell, which called the move a potential "game changer" for domestic production, has until late September to drill this season, during which they plan to drill two exploration wells. It's estimated the U.S. Arctic holds about 26 billion barrels of recoverable oil.
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Environmental advocacy groups have long opposed offshore drilling, citing its potential harm to polar bears, walruses, and other animals already threatened by climate change.
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