Outgoing US President Barack Obama permanent ban offshore oil and gas drilling in the "vast majority" of US-owned northern waters

   

    Outgoing US President Barack Obama has permanently banned offshore oil and gas drilling in the "vast majority" of US-owned northern waters.

    Obama designated areas in the Arctic and Atlantic oceans as "indefinitely off limits" to future leasing.
The move is widely seen as an attempt to protect the region before      President Obama leaves office in January.
   The White House said the decision was for "a strong, sustainable and viable Arctic economy and ecosystem."
It cited native cultural needs, wildlife concerns, and the "vulnerability" of the region to oil spills as some of the reasons for the ban.
While Canada will review the move every five years, the White House insists Obama's declaration is permanent.