Oil and gas drilling in Alaska's Cook Inlet can now legally harm marine mammals for five years

The US government is proposing new rules that would allow Hilcorp Alaska, LLC to harm marine mammals during its oil and gas operations in Cook Inlet. This means the company can continue drilling and decommissioning activities for five years, even if it disturbs or injures whales and seals.

This proposed rule sets a precedent for how oil and gas companies can operate in sensitive marine environments. It defines the acceptable level of harm to protected species for a specific company over a long period. This kind of regulatory approval can lock in industrial activity for decades, even as environmental conditions change.