U.S. approves oil-spill plan for ArcticFebruary 18, 2012 - 16:58 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - U.S. officials have approved an oil-spill plan for Royal Dutch Shell PLC as the company looks to begin drilling in the Arctic, saying Friday, Feb 17 that Shell has demonstrated its ability to respond to potential spills in icy waters despite protests from environmental groups. The approval, granted by the U.S. Interior Department, helps pave the way for Shell to begin drilling in the Chukchi Sea this summer after years of preparation for the project. Shell still has to obtain drilling permits from the Interior Department before it can move forward. "We are taking a cautious approach," Interior Secretary Ken Salazar said in a statement. Environmental groups have asked the Interior Department to block, or at least postpone, drilling in the Arctic Ocean until oil companies are better equipped to handle spills in waters that freeze over for many months of the year. They have also raised more general objections to drilling in the region, saying that little is known about the region's wildlife and ecosystems. In approving Shell's oil-spill response plan, a crucial part of the federal permitting process, the Interior Department said the company met new requirements adopted after BP PLC's Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Shell had to prove that it could respond to a spill that released five times as much oil as a previous contingency plan and make additional preparations for emergencies, The Wall Street Journal reported. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Russia provides info about arrested Armenian ex-MP Russian law enforcement agencies have provided information about the arrest of Tigran Urikhanyan. Lemkin Institue slams Pashinyan's “cryptic engagement with Genocide denial” The Lemkin Institute is alarmed over Pashinyan’s statements “questioning Armenia's legal basis to pursue justice against Turkey”. 41 detained as antigovernment protests continue in Yerevan 41 people were detained in Yerevan as people demanding Pashinian’s resignation stage campaigns of civil disobedience. Armenia votes for UN resolution granting Palestine new rights The U.N. General Assembly voted by a wide margin on May 10 to grant new “rights and privileges” to Palestine. |