What is the Outer Continental Shelf?
The Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) refers to federal submerged lands that lie seaward of the states' jurisdiction (generally three nautical miles from the shoreline).
Final air permits issued
On September 19, 2011, EPA issued final Outer Continental Shelf/Prevention of Significant Deterioration Clean Air Act permits to Shell Gulf of Mexico Inc. and Shell Offshore Inc. for oil and gas exploration in the Chukchi Sea and the Beaufort Sea. The permits authorize air emissions from Shell’s exploration drilling with the Discoverer drillship and a support fleet of icebreakers, oil spill response vessels, and supply ships for up to 120 days each year. Shell plans to begin exploration drilling in 2012, as authorized by the U.S. Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement
Environmental Appeals Board
On January 12, the Environmental Appeals Board denied review of three petitions challenging the permits. This decision allows the permits to stand as issued and allows Shell to operate the Discoverer drillship and support fleet in the Beaufort and Chukchi Seas starting in July. Petitioners will have 10 days to petition the Board for reconsideration and 60 days to appeal the decision to the 9th Circuit Court. In December, Congress moved the authority for regulating offshore exploration in the Arctic from EPA to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, but allowed EPA to continue processing “pending permits.”
Shell 2011 Final Air Permit Documents
Draft Permit and Other Related Documents
Where to Review Hard Copy Documents
The permit record includes Shell’s applications and supplemental application materials, the final permits, supplemental statement of basis, EPA Region 10’s response to public comments, and all other materials relied on by EPA.
The permit record is available for review at EPA Region 10, 1200 6th Ave, Seattle, Washington, 9am-5pm Monday-Friday (206-553-1200).
The final permits, supplemental statement of basis, and response to public comments will also be available at these locations in Alaska:
EPA, Federal Building, 222 West 7th Ave, Anchorage (907-271-5083); Barrow City Office, 2022 Ahkovak Street, Barrow (907-852-4050); Nuiqsut City Office, 2230 2nd Avenue, Nuiqsut (907-480-6727); Kaktovik City Office, 2051 Barter Avenue, Kaktovik (907-640-6313); Wainwright City Office, 1217 Airport Road, Wainwright (907-763-2815); Kali School Library, 1029 Ugrak Ave, Point Lay (907-833-2312); Point Hope City Office, 530 Natchiq Street, Point Hope (907-368-2537); Atqasuk City Office, 5010 Ekosik Street, Atqasuk (907-633-6811); Anaktuvuk Pass City Office, 3031 Main St, Anaktuvuk Pass (907-661-3612).
For more information or to request a copy of permit documents, contact Suzanne Skadowski, 206-553-6689.