''U.S. Senator calls on Alaska Legislature to prepare for Arctic boom''

"In a speech to the Alaska Legislature in Juneau on Monday, U.S. Senator Mark Begich predicted that despite the inevitable legal challenges, exploration for oil and gas will commence: "Let me repeat that: there will be oil development in Alaska's (Outer Continental Shelf) this summer," he said.

He was referring to Shell Oil Co.'s summer exploration plan, which the company predicts could yield more than 500,000 barrels of oil a day. While drilling in the Arctic Ocean is anathema to many environmentalists, few in Alaska's political circles -- even the Democrats-- share those views."

Shell plans to start sending oil down the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System as soon as 2023. Because that oil is in federal waters, Alaska will get no royalties from that production, but it will extend the life of the pipeline."  

from eye on the arctic...