The pristine Lofoten archipelago in the Barents sea within the Arctic circle,faces the threat of oil and gas exploration if the Norwegian government grants permission for an oil and gas impact assessment study in March and then decides a resultant energy policy which opens up the area for mining and drilling .
The Lofoten Islands are popular with climbers and outdoor activists from all over Europe, but especially those activists from the UK whose early mountaineers were amongst the first the realise the areas' potential as a climbing arena.
"The management plan (of Lofoten will be presented) at the end of the first quarter this year. So by the end of March it should be put forward by the ministry of environment," Per Rune Henriksen, deputy oil and energy minister, said recently.
Environmentalists have repeatedly said that if the "updated management plan for the Barents Sea and the Lofotens" envisages the impact assessment report, it would amount to a big step toward opening the region for exploration.
Henriksen declined to comment on the progress of the Lofoten debate within the ruling coalition, which includes the senior Labour party that has in the past backed oil interests and two small green parties fiercely set against opening the region.
The region is home to one of the world's largest cod stocks and oil drilling would be closer to shore than in any other offshore area in Norwegian waters. Alarming conservationists who fear the potential catastrophic consequences of an oil spill.
Post Title
→The Lofoten Islands face threat from Norwegian energy policy
Post URL
→https://national-grid-news.blogspot.com/2011/01/lofoten-islands-face-threat-from.html
Visit National-grid-news for Daily Updated Wedding Dresses Collection
