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Shell Launches Legal Action Against 13 Environmental Groups
A temporary restraining order has been granted against Greenpeace
By Alexis Fernandez
ALASKA - Shell has launched legal action against 13 environmental groups it believes will challenge its oil spill response plan for the Chukchi Sea.
In a separate case Shell has been granted a temporary restraining order against Greenpeace after six of its protesters were arrested for illegally boarding one its drillships, in New Zealand. The ship was headed to Alaska.
Curtis Smith, a spokesman for Shell Alaska, said the oil giant filed the legal action in federal court this week against the groups, which include Alaska Wilderness, Defenders of Wildlife and Sierra Club in an effort to prompt them to bring forward any lawsuits the groups may plan on filing.
According to spokesperson of the Sierra Club Dan Ritzman, Shell's move was inappropriate, and bullies groups into court and limits the opportunity for review of their plans.
“Obviously we’re trying to avoid a repeat of what happened last week in New Zealand, where Greenpeace illegally boarded one of our vessels, but really jeopardized the safety of our crew and the protesters themselves,” said Smith.
Shell plans to drill several exploratory wells in the Chukchi Sea this summer once all their permits are approved.
