Federal appeals court affirms ruling in Arctic drilling suit

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — A federal appeals court panel sides with a lower court that ruled federal officials did not act unlawfully when they approved two oil spill response plans created by Royal Dutch Shell PLC for oil leases in the Beaufort and Chukchi Seas off Alaska’s coast.

The Thursday decision from the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said the oil spill response plans approved were not unlawful.

Environmental groups sued in 2012, arguing the approvals violated Clean Water and Endangered Species acts.

The government countered the groups’ claims were based, in part, on a misreading of the laws and Shell’s response plans.

Oceana attorney Michael LeVine said if Shell’s plans satisfy the law, “then the law is broken.”

Shell spokesman Curtis Smith said it was welcome news, and the company continues to plan for exploration this July.