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May 27, 2010

Admin Suspends Arctic Drilling, New Oil Leases
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The Obama administration meanwhile is suspending both new exploratory
drilling in the Arctic Ocean as well as lease sales off Alaska and
Virginia. In a report to be released today, Interior Secretary Ken
Salazar says he won’t consider new drilling permits until next year. The
six-month moratorium is a major setback for the oil giant Shell, which
had been set to begin drilling in Alaska’s Beaufort and Chukchi seas in
July. Native and environmental groups have warned the drilling could
chase away sea life and contaminate the ocean.



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