Shell Launches Legal Action Against 13 Environmental Groups

A temporary restraining order has been granted against Greenpeace

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By Alexis Fernandez

Story Created: Mar 1, 2012 at 9:20 PM AKDT

Story Updated: Mar 1, 2012 at 9:22 PM AKDT

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.
 

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FrozenStiff said on Friday, Mar 2 at 8:53 AM

I worked on the North Star project at Seal Island in 2000, which was heavily protested by Greenpeace. It was given very little news coverage, but there was a lot of collaboration between BP and Greenpeace before, during, and after the project. BP assisted Greenpeace in demobilizing their camp out on the ice. We heard firsthand accounts of what Greenpeace left behind in their campsite; motor oil, from the generators, and human excrement (no portable outhouses). A BP Spill Response Team had to be sent out to clean up after the Greenies left, and their camping gear was loaded on to Lynden Transport vans, by BP personnel. It was all a dog-and-pony act. Sierra Club, Greenpeace, etc. are in the business of collecting donations.

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tom said on Friday, Mar 2 at 1:06 AM

I live in Alaska the nearest Coast Guard spill response team is over 2000 miles away. If a spill or god forbid a blow out happens it would be at lest a month before the Coast Guard could arrive there to help. So yes there are issues.Calling greenies names does nothing. Drilling without proper support close by is just plain irresponsible!

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BJ said on Thursday, Mar 1 at 11:42 PM

Give'm HELL SHELL!!!! Behind you all the way.

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BobD said on Thursday, Mar 1 at 10:48 PM

Go get 'em Shell.. Sick and tired of these enviro-nuts trying to stop ALL exploration everywhere.

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murdockmcgyver said on Thursday, Mar 1 at 10:33 PM

Hu bullies them into court What the heck has been going on here for the last 25 years the enviro groups have been doing just that its about time somebody took the fight to them good for shell its about time

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