Plan for Shell drilling fleet in Seattle draws ire

  • Associated Press
  • Wednesday, January 28, 2015 3:38pm
  • Business

SEATTLE — A plan to allow Royal Dutch Shell PLC to use Seattle’s waterfront as a homeport for its Arctic drilling fleet is drawing opposition from environmental groups.

Several state and national groups are urging the Port of Seattle to halt lease negotiations that would allow Shell to use 50 acres of port property across from downtown Seattle. Shell would house drill rigs, ice-breakers and other vessels in the winter when it’s not exploring for oil off Alaska’s coast.

Port commissioners this month approved moving forward with a short-term lease with Foss Maritime, whose clients include Shell.

Port officials and Foss say the project would generate good-paying jobs, revenues and local and state tax dollars.

But environmentalists said Wednesday that there was little environmental review or time for public input. They also said it’s not consistent with the city’s environmental goals.

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