Oils companies to explore frozen seas
(NEWSER) - The US government has announced $2.7 billion in winning bids for oil drilling rights in 2.8 million acres of Alaska's frozen Chukchi Sea, despite angry objections of lawmakers and environmentalists. The bids include a record $105 million offer from Shell for a single 9-square-mile tract. Environmental groups say the exploration will endanger walruses, bowhead whales and polar bears, already suffering the impact of global warming. A tenth of the world's population of polar bears live in the region. More»