# Coalition Challenges Oil Companies and Government to Show Ability to Respond in America’s Arctic

- Link: https://greenlivingguy.com/2011/08/coalition-challenges-oil-companies-and-government-to-show-ability-to-respond-in-americas-arctic/
- Published: 2011-08-13T19:08:24-04:00
- Author: greenlivingguy

## Most Recent Test of Oil Spill Response in US Arctic Called “Failure”Coalition Challenges Oil Companies and Government to Show Ability to Respond in America’s Arctic

**_ _**The “United for America’s Arctic” coalition challenged oil companies to provide
proof that they can clean up oil in America’s Arctic in icy conditions. Shell is
seeking approval to drill wells in the Chukchi and Beaufort Seas in 2012, and the
company has submitted a plan it says can respond to a worst case spill. ConocoPhillips
and Statoil also have announced intentions to begin exploration drilling in 2013
and 2014 respectively.

Oceana, a member of the coalition, submitted document requests to State of Alaska,
Department of the Interior (DOI), and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration(
NOAA) seeking any state and federal records of actual, in-the-water demonstrations
of response equipment in the Arctic. Oceana received no documents from DOI or NOAA,
and the response from the State was shocking.

### Test the Water

The most recent in-the-water test of response in America’s Arctic for which the 
State has documentation was in 2000—more than a decade ago. That test focused on
some of the primary response options that Shell plans to use—skimmers and booms—
and concluded that these tools are not likely to be effective in icy Arctic waters.
This video clip, which comes from that test and was compiled by Oceana, shows just
how ineffective boom can be, even in calm seas with good visibility and no wind:

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2dL3RGwpBaI](https://web.archive.org/web/20120603234600/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2dL3RGwpBaI)

#### No Documents

Thus, neither the State of Alaska nor federal government has any documents showing
that a company has demonstrated in the Chukchi or Beaufort Seas that it can respond
effectively to an oil spill. Even in the relatively benign conditions of the Gulf,
only 10% of spilled oil was recovered after the Deepwater Horizon spill, and these
technologies have changed little since the [Exxon](https://greenlivingguy.com/2011/04/kkr-buyout-firms-cut-energy-bloomberg-markets-magazine/)
Valdez spill, after which only 8% of the oil spilled was recovered. Similarly, response
to the spill in the Yellowstone River has been ineffective, and other response options,
including burning and dispersants, are likewise unproven and potentially dangerous.

#### Can’t Take Shell’s Word

The government cannot simply take Shell’s word that response equipment “will” work
and spilled [oil](https://greenlivingguy.com/2011/08/shell-fails-to-contain-north-sea-spill/)“
will” be contained and cleaned up—especially when the evidence shows otherwise. 
Before Shell’s plans, or any others, are approved, we deserve to know how effective,
if at all, the response to a spill might be.

America’s Arctic Ocean and surrounding coasts are unique and important. For thousands
of years, America’s Arctic has been home to vibrant communities that depend on healthy,
functioning ecosystems to support their subsistence way of life. The Arctic’s Chukchi
and Beaufort Seas provide vital habitat for many of our nation’s most iconic wildlife
species—polar bears, walrus, ice seals, bowhead whales, beluga whales, and more.

#### Coast Guard, Scientists and Communities

The Coast Guard, scientists, and communities have pointed to the lack of spill response
in the Arctic Ocean. Having a paper plan is not enough to protect this special place.
If America is entrusting the Arctic to a corporation, we must insist on proof that
its plan will work. The vibrancy and biodiversity of the [Arctic ecosystem](https://greenlivingguy.com/2011/05/arctic-ecosystem-understanding-its-vital-role/)
depends on how we manage future development.

The “United for America’s Arctic” coalition is currently comprised of nearly two
dozen environmental organizations, representing millions of members across the country.

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 greenlivingguy

 The Green Living Guy, Seth Leitman is an independent power producer, a green living
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