Royal Dutch Shell got the final approval it needs from the federal government Monday to begin drilling for oil in the Arctic Ocean on Alaska’s northwest coast. The company got permission after it demonstrated that it had the necessary piece of equipment to prevent the well from blowing out. Environmental groups have taken issue with the proposed drilling, saying it will harm polar bears and other species native to the region. There are some 26 billion barrels of oil in area according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
