Oceana UK is filing a lawsuit against the UK government over 31 oil and gas exploration licenses issued earlier this year. The conservation organization, part of the Ocean Alliance Against Offshore Drilling, argues that the licenses were granted without proper consideration of their impact on marine ecosystems. The group has urged Energy Secretary Ed Miliband to acknowledge the lawsuit, suggesting that conceding could align the government with its public promises to reduce fossil fuel reliance.
In May, the North Sea Transition Authority (formerly the Oil and Gas Authority) granted these licenses as the Sunak administration navigated energy security and a transition away from fossil fuels. The licenses are projected to yield up to 600 million barrels of oil equivalent by 2060 and 545 million barrels by 2050. Notably, some licenses were awarded in regions previously designated for offshore wind projects.
The NSTA announced a new policy to address overlapping oil and gas and wind leases, following consultations with The Crown Estate and Crown Estate Scotland. Meanwhile, the incoming Starmer administration has expressed a strong stance against the oil and gas sector, with plans to increase taxes and potentially halt new exploration licenses. This shift could lead to legal challenges from companies impacted by these policy changes.
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