With Bush out of office, people across the country are speaking out against further proposed oil and gas industries in the Arctic.  And by speaking out, they are hoping President Obama will here them and take heed. 

Over 150,000 people spoke up during a public comment period in the United States, asking the Department of Interior’s Minerals Management Service, and the government in general, to halt all industrial activity in the Arctic.  Protesters of further development in the area want to see a precautionary conservation and energy plan developed before more gas and oil companies move in and start working in the area.

Comments by those protesting new gas and oil projects in the area were in response to a Bush –era environmental impact statement (EIS). The EIS is proposing to go ahead with four lease sales in the Beaufort and Chukchi Seas, despite the environment risks, including the effect on the Arctic eco system.

Environmentalists and groups are hoping that President Obama listens and reverses Bush’s decision.

“The unique and fragile Arctic Ocean is already suffering from climate change,” said David Dickson of the Alaska Wilderness League, “and people across the country understand the critical need to protect it from a risky rush to drill. We hope the Obama administration will suspend all new industrial activities until a sound, science-based, comprehensive plan for America’s Arctic is developed that ensures no further harm,” he said.

Trish Rolfe, a Sierra Club Alaska representative agrees.  “The Bush administration worked furiously to fast track drilling in the Arctic Ocean. They didn’t take the time to fully study how oil spills and development would impact the communities and wildlife that live along the coast.”

And it looks like Obama is listening.  The president has decided to extend the public comment period, holding public hearings throughout the United States this month in a bid to gather more opinions and more information.