Now that polar bears have come under the protection of the U.S. Endangered Species Act, the oil industry may be forced to slow down drilling efforts in the
Experts agree the new protected status of the bears may limit options for oil companies seeing to tap into the oil-rich Arctic National Wildlife Refuge or at the very least, increase the bureaucratic red tape companies must wade through in energy exploration.
Even areas currently involved in oil and gas activities could be curtailed in response to extended buffer zones to protect nursing mother bears and cubs from deafening seismic testing.
In a statement by Shell Oil, the company indicated the protected status of polar bears would not change their Arctic explorations. “Shell’s polar bear policy currently meets or exceeds all existing regulatory requirements, including reporting, training and avoidance measures.”
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