The Trump administration backs a project to kick off oil development Alaska's federal waters

The U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management has published an Environmental Impact Statement in support of Hilcorp Alaska's proposal to build the first-ever oil production facility in federal Arctic waters. The move brings the project one step closer to receiving its development permit, which could be decided as early as October. Environmental groups argue that such a development would pose a “massive pollution threat” to polar bears and other Arctic animals, but in addition to the threat of an oil spill is a guarantee of more carbon emissions to fuel climate change. The lengthy report says the project’s lifespan could last up to 20 years—a long time to commit to dirty energy in an area that is already a ticking carbon time bomb.