Oil giant Shell’s efforts to drill in the Arctic Ocean have been plagued by mistakes and near disasters. The company even lost control of an offshore drilling rig – allowing it to run aground in Alaska. You saw the destruction that the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill caused to the Gulf in 2010. Imagine that same devastation brought to the Arctic – one of the most unique and important places left on earth. 

Now, after years of failing to find safe ways to drill in the Arctic, Shell is asking the federal government to extend its leases by five years.

I’m calling on the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) to deny Shell’s request for five more years to explore for offshore oil drilling in the Arctic. Please click here to join me.

I remember walking down the beach in Santa Monica over twenty years ago with my young daughters. At the time I was starring on the show “Cheers,” and during our walk we came to a sign that read: “Water polluted, no swimming.” I didn’t know how to explain to them that we allowed pollution into our oceans and beaches – and I don’t want any parent to have to explain to their children how Shell destroyed the Arctic.

Shell is the only company still actively pushing to drill in the U.S. Arctic Ocean, as other companies have walked away from the unpredictable Arctic environment or put plans on hold. Chevron recently pulled its plans to drill in the Canadian Beaufort Sea after finding the process too risky and expensive. If BSEE denies Shell’s request, the company will suffer a major blow to its dangerous efforts.

The oil industry does not have proven means to contain or clean a spill in the Arctic Ocean. A single accident could lead to serious environmental degradation, threatening iconic marine wildlife and impacting the region’s coastal communities. If Shell is given five more years, the Arctic’s polar bears, ice seals, belugas and many other inhabitants will be pushed further into harm’s way.

We have an incredible opportunity to protect the Arctic from offshore drilling. In the mid-1980s, I helped lead a successful campaign to stop Occidental Petroleum from drilling 60 oil wells in the waters beside Santa Monica. Now, along with Oceana, I desperately need your support to protect the Arctic.

Please sign our petition calling on BSEE to deny Shell’s request for five more years to drill for oil in the U.S. Arctic Ocean.

Thank you,

Ted Danson with Oceana