Arctic offshore production wells approved off Alaska’s coast By DAN JOLING, Associated Press ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — The first oil and gas production wells in federal Arctic waters have been approved by U.S. regulators. The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management on Wednesday announced it issued a conditional permit for the Liberty Project, a proposal by a subsidiary of Houston-based Hilcorp …

Senators: Buffer needed near Chaco national park Two U.S. senators say the area surrounding Chaco Culture National Historical Park represents the “cultural heart” of Native American tribes from around the Southwest and should be protected from encroaching oil and gas development. Democrats Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich of New Mexico announced legislation Tuesday to withdraw nearly 500 square miles (1,295 …

Judge dismisses historic preservation claim in drilling case By SUSAN MONTOYA BRYAN, Associated Press ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — A U.S. district judge has dismissed claims by environmentalists who argued that the approval of drilling permits violated historic preservation laws because of potential threats to culturally significant sites in northwestern New Mexico. Despite an earlier ruling that signaled the claims had merit, Judge …