9-1-12

ADN by Sean Cockerham.  The Obama administration has cleared another hurdle for Shell to drill in Alaska's Arctic waters -- the second in as many days -- changing the company's air pollution limits so its drill ship can operate in the Chukchi Sea.  Shell told the Environmental Protection Agency in June that the company was able to meet overall air quality standards. But it said a set of generators on the drilling rig Noble Discoverer fell short of the specific requirements for nitrous oxide and ammonia emissions.  The EPA now has agreed to allow the drill ship to go ahead and operate in Arctic waters while the agency decides how to handle Shell's request for a revised permit.  Shell praised the decision Friday as a reasonable accommodation that will let it get to work while still limiting its emissions.   (Commentary:  We have testified to the EPA that, "There are several score if not hundreds of requirements in rejection after rejection. I submit to you that most normal Americans would read your many, many, many seemingly picky reasons for rejection and say to you in a big voice, 'Can you possibly be serious?'  "One asks, 'Isn’t this entire process discriminating, picky, harassing and endangering our country’s national defense and economic survival?'  "Today you are seeking comment on Shell’s Air Quality Permit Application for the Chukchi operations of the Frontier Discoverer and I am sure you are getting plenty of support for delay from certain anti-domestic energy advocates.   But I would ask any member of the public who hears me to consider the cumulative effect of what you and your comrades in other departments are accomplishing....")