Controversial drilling rig arrives in Seattle port under black cloud
- 9 years ago
The first of two drilling rigs, destined for Arctic oil exploration, has arrived in the US city of Seattle – much to the anger of environmental activists.
Royal Dutch Shell is planning to use the port as an equipment base, as it sets it sights on resuming work in the Chukchi Sea off Alaska, where it had not drilled since a mishap-filled 2012 season.
Campaigners and some Seattle city leaders are worried about ecological damage.
“People come to Seattle to live here because they’re so green,” said Mike O’Brien, a member of Seattle City Council.
“To have this monstrosity, this monument to the hubris of the oil industry, parked in our waterfront for eight months a year, is completely inconsistent with all the values that we work to protect here in Seattle.”
Environmental activists say drilling in the delicate Arctic ecosystem could lead to an ecological disaster.
Campaign groups also contend that weather conditions make it impossible to safely drill in the remote Arctic, a r
Royal Dutch Shell is planning to use the port as an equipment base, as it sets it sights on resuming work in the Chukchi Sea off Alaska, where it had not drilled since a mishap-filled 2012 season.
Campaigners and some Seattle city leaders are worried about ecological damage.
“People come to Seattle to live here because they’re so green,” said Mike O’Brien, a member of Seattle City Council.
“To have this monstrosity, this monument to the hubris of the oil industry, parked in our waterfront for eight months a year, is completely inconsistent with all the values that we work to protect here in Seattle.”
Environmental activists say drilling in the delicate Arctic ecosystem could lead to an ecological disaster.
Campaign groups also contend that weather conditions make it impossible to safely drill in the remote Arctic, a r