ANCHORAGE, Alaska—
Alaska Native and conservation groups have succeeded in challenging clean air permits granted to Shell Oil to drill exploration wells in the Beaufort and Chukchi seas.Numerous groups alleged that Shell's permits granted by the Environmental Protection Agency would allow Shell to emit tons of pollutants into the Arctic environment from a drill ship and support vessels.
The Environmental Appeals Board reviewed the permits. It found that the analysis of the impact of nitrogen dioxide emissions from the ships on Alaska Native communities was too limited, and remanded the permits.
The groups challenging the permits say pollutants resulting fromShell's exploration drilling will harm Inupiat people and wildlife while contributing to climate change.
Shell did not immediately return a call for comment.
