EPA Issues Draft Permit for Exploratory Wells Off Alaska
http://www.nytimes.com/gwire/2010/01/08/08greenwire-epa-issues-draft-permit-for-exploratory-wells-26752.html

Oil lobby scaling back its presence in Tally (FL)
http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/news_politics/2010/01/oil-lobby-scaling-back-its-presence-in-tally.html
“Environmentalists who oppose the proposal, which last year could have led to drilling as close as three-miles offshore, hailed Florida Energy Associates’ downsizing as a sign that supporters were losing their will to continue an increasingly uphill battle.”
Also see http://audubonoffloridanews.org/?p=3630

Governor wants you to choose between offshore oil drilling and state parks (Audubon of CA)
http://www.audublog.org/?p=3185
That’s what he’s asking for on Page 31 of his just-announced proposed budget. Here’s the relevant text:
“Fund State Parks from Tranquillon Ridge Oil Revenues — A reduction of $140 million in General Fund and replacement with revenue generated from the Tranquillon Ridge oil lease. It is estimated that the Tranquillon Ridge oil lease will generate $1.8 billion in advanced royalties over the next 14 years. This revenue will be used to fund state parks. The Governor’s Budget assumes that the State Lands Commission will approve the Tranquillon Ridge proposal. If not approved by the Commission, legislation will be necessary.”

A much better solution that provides for stable State Parks funding and increases access to State Parks for all Californians without the “devil’s bargain” of new offshore oil drilling is the State Parks and Wildlife Conservation Trust Fund Act of 2010, a proposed statewide initiative slated for the November 2010.

The Chukchi Sea is a terrible place to drill for oil, both because of its ecological importance and because it would be incredibly difficult to remove and transport any oil found in the region. Remote and pristine, the Chukchi Sea provides important habitat for threatened polar bears and endangered whales. The area Shell has leased is 80 miles off shore, in waters frozen solid most of the year and only open when the ice breaks up from July to mid-October. Worse, the Chukchi’s churning sea ice would make it impossible to clean up an oil spill.

Shell’s pursuit of oil in the Chukchi Sea simply doesn’t make sense. Right now, the rest of the world is working together to end our dependence on fossil fuels and move into the clean energy economy. But Shell is continuing to blindly pursue its desperate search for oil – even in a place as unpromising and risky as Alaska’s Chukchi Sea.

Drilling in the Chukchi Sea is a foolish move on Shell’s part. We shouldn’t allow the company to destroy important Arctic habitat in the pursuit of its outdated pipe dream. It’s time to stop chasing every drop of oil on the planet and start focusing on clean energy instead.

Alaska groups sue to stop offshore drilling
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hfc96O1f3W1VbJMX1ovX8sma_nDAD9CJV9280

Scott Maddox: Drilling won’t give us what proponents promise (FL)
http://www.tallahassee.com/article/20091215/OPINION05/912150302/1006/opinion

Captiva official urges SW Florida legislators to oppose offshore drilling
http://www.news-press.com/article/20091215/GREEN/91215044/1075/Captiva-official-urges-SW-Florida-legislators-to-oppose-offshore-drilling

Oil Rigs Close Near Australia as Cyclone Intensifies
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601081&sid=adFBcceN05_4
Tropical Cyclone Laurence, Australia’s first storm of the season, is intensifying as it moves closer to the northwestern coast, triggering evacuations of offshore oil and gas rigs.
Winds with gusts as high as 165 kilometers per hour are being experienced in the Kimberley area and winds with gusts to 130 kph are expected later today further southwest, along with heavy rain.