The Obama administration meanwhile is suspending both new exploratory drilling in the Arctic Ocean as well as lease sales off Alaska and Virginia. In a report to be released today, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar says he won’t consider new drilling permits until next year. The six-month moratorium is a major setback for the oil giant Shell, which had been set to begin drilling in Alaska’s Beaufort and Chukchi seas in July. Native and environmental groups have warned the drilling could chase away sea life and contaminate the ocean.