Today, the Obama Administration announced that they are opening 1.8 million in Alaska’s National Petroleum Reserve to oil and gas drilling.  Apparently, between the Bush and Obama Administrations not much has changed in the handouts our federal government gives to the oil and gas industries at the expense of Americans and future generations.  And of course we’ve seen how well drilling protects the environment.

Well, potential bidders, the auction closes August 11th.  Who will be the new Bidder 70?

Obama to open 1.8M Alaskan acres to drilling

07/09/2010

Patrick Reis, E&E reporter

The Interior Department today announced plans to open 1.8 million acres of Alaska’s National Petroleum Reserve to new oil and gas drilling.

The Bureau of Land Management is selling leases on 190 tracts in the reserve. Bidding will close Aug. 11.

Nearly 1 million acres in and around the reserve’s Teshekpuk Lake were put off-limits to drilling to protect important habitat for migratory birds and the local caribou herd.

Interior Secretary Ken Salazar said the lease sale balances a commitment to energy production with environmental protection.

“This sale reflects the Administration’s continuing efforts to encourage environmentally responsible development of domestic energy resources, including fossil fuels, to reduce our nation’s heavy dependence on imported oil,” Salazar said in a statement. “It also demonstrates our continuing commitment to protect and conserve wildlife and their habitat on sensitive public lands with exceptional ecological value.”

There are currently 310 authorized oil and gas leases on 3 million acres of the National Petroleum Reserve, which sprawls across 23 million acres on the North Slope.