Martha Grabowski led National Academy's Report on Arctic Oil Spill Response

As the oil industry prepares to exploit the Arctic's vast resources, the United States is inadequate in its preparedness for an oil spill in the region, according to a report released on April 23 by the National Research Council (NRC). ISE Research Faculty Dr. Martha Grabowski is the chair of this report. The 183-page report marks the first time in more than ten years that the NRC, an arm of the National Academy of Sciences, has taken a comprehensive look at the impact of oil and gas exploration in the Arctic. In the intervening decade, sea ice cover hit a record low, shipping traffic increased dramatically, and the price of oil rose sharply, prompting such companies as Shell, ExxonMobil, and ConocoPhillips to acquire new leases for oil and gas. The panel briefed Senator Begich (D-Alaska) staff, Senate Commerce Committee, House Transportation & Infrastructure committee (USCoast Guard oversight committee), Senate Energy Committee (NOAA, US Coast Guard oversight committee), and Senator Murkowski (R-Alaska) staff. A free download of the report may be found here . Press coverage: National Geographic , Science/AAAS , Alaska Public Radio , Science Daily,Rigzone (oil industry publication), Oil & Gas Journal (industry publication), Fuel Fix (industry publication) , National Academies/National Research Council , More from National Academies/National Research Council