Governor Sean Parnell today welcomed the news that Shell applied for a permit with the federal government to drill an exploratory well in the Beaufort Sea in 2011.
"I commend Shell's persistence in pushing federal regulators to come down on the side of Americans who want an expansion of the jobs base and greater national security through increased domestic energy production," Governor Parnell said. "The federal government should recognize that Shell has gone above and beyond existing environmental requirements to ensure protection of our resources."
Shell's application is based on its 2010 Plan of Exploration, which was approved but then challenged in court. The State of Alaska intervened as a party to defend the plan, which was upheld in the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals.
Governor Parnell urged federal regulators to evaluate and approve the application before the 2011 drilling season.