US to Revise Chemical Dispersant Use for Oil Spills in Alaska

Alaska Regional Response Team co-chair Mark Everett said that US authorities have introduced a new policy for the Dispersant Use Plan for the state of Alaska, which will allow to adequately respond to potential oil spills in the region.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — US authorities have introduced a new policy for the Dispersant Use Plan for the state of Alaska, which will allow to adequately respond to potential oil spills in the region, Alaska Regional Response Team co-chair Mark Everett said in a press release.

"This new policy will enable the Coast Guard to ensure there is a regulated dispersant capability in the state of Alaska," Everett stated on Thursday. "This allows us to focus on potential spills to US waters from crude oil laden tank vessels bound to or from a US port."

The new policy includes a more protective protocol for the use of dispersant in certain waters offshore of Alaska, according to the press release. It also enhances stakeholder and tribal government involvement in decisions with regard to use of the chemicals.

Unlike other coastal US states, Alaska has not had a dispersant plan since 2008, according to the Coast Guard.

In 2015, President Barack Obama announced a five-year plan that included selling limited permits to companies to explore oil and gas deposits in the Arctic.