Anchorage, AK

The Bureau of Ocean and Energy Management (BOEM) opened and read the bids this morning for Cook Inlet federal offshore oil and gas lease sale #258.  After offering close to one million acres for lease, there was only one bid.  Hillcorp Alaska LLC bid $63,983 for one block.

Nicole Whittington-Evans, Defenders of Wildlife Alaska Program Director, released the following statement regarding the federal Cook Inlet offshore oil and gas lease sale:

"The 1970s heyday of Cook Inlet oil and gas development is long behind us as illustrated, once again, with today’s lackluster showing of only one bid by one company for offered federal offshore leases. Policy for Cook Inlet waters needs to keep pace with modern reality and focus on addressing the biodiversity and climate crises we face. The federal government must take aggressive measures to reduce disturbances and restore critically endangered Cook Inlet beluga whales, which have declined by 75%. And it must pivot to clean energy technologies and stop trying to double down on fossil fuel projects that undermine our climate goals."   

Image
Cook Inlet beluga whale
Paul Wade/NOAA Fisheries

For over 75 years, Defenders of Wildlife has remained dedicated to protecting all native animals and plants in their natural communities. With a nationwide network of nearly 2.1 million members and activists, Defenders of Wildlife is a leading advocate for innovative solutions to safeguard our wildlife for generations to come. To learn more, please visit https://defenders.org/newsroom or follow us on X @Defenders.

  

Media Contact

Senior Vice President, External Affairs
lsheehan@defenders.org
(202) 772-3244

News

Image
2020.03.24 - Alligator - Okefenokee Swamp - Okefenokee Wilderness Area - Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge - Michael Lusk.jpg
ATLANTA, GEORGIA

Defenders Celebrates Land Acquisition Deal Protecting Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge from Threat of Mining

Defenders of Wildlife celebrates The Conservation Fund’s acquisition of the properties owned by Twin Pines Minerals, LLC, a company seeking to mine adjacent to the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, the largest refuge east of the Mississippi River.
Image
Andre Johnson / iStock Photo
Washington, DC

Communities Push Back on Opening Waters for Oil Drilling

Defenders of Wildlife filed comments this week opposing new offshore oil drilling. More than 44 thousand public comments were submitted to the first comment period