International News

WASHINGTON, (MILLAT+APP/AFP) – US President Barack
Obama has declared portions of the Arctic off-limits for oil
exploration for the next five years, dealing a blow to Republican
efforts to expand fossil fuel extraction.
The decision means new oil and gas exploration leasing
in the Chukchi Sea and Beaufort Sea will not be considered
until after 2022.
“Given the unique and challenging Arctic environment and
industry’s declining interest in the area, forgoing lease sales
in the Arctic is the right path forward,” Interior Secretary
Sally Jewell said in a statement.
The US government made a similar announcement in March,
when it removed the Atlantic Ocean from the five-year road map.
Environmental groups hailed Friday’s decision as historic
and coming at a key moment, as President-elect Donald Trump has
promised to expand drilling for oil and to revive the American
coal industry.