Obama Said to Block Selling New Drilling Rights in U.S. Arctic
- Atlantic, Arctic waters left out of 2017-2022 lease plan
- Decision is a blow to oil companies looking for more territory
Obama Said Blocking New U.S. Arctic Drilling Rights Sales
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The Obama administration is set to block the sale of new oil and gas drilling rights in U.S. Arctic waters under a five-year blueprint, handing a victory to environmentalists who said the activity threatened whales, walruses and other wildlife in the region.
The details were confirmed by people familiar with the plan who were not authorized to speak publicly before it is issued, something that is expected within days. It is subject to a 60-day congressional review and could be rewritten by President-elect Donald Trump, in a process that could take months or years.