Shell's Arctic oil rig permit hearing set for July

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SEATTLE (AP) — A Seattle hearing examiner has set a date to hear an appeals filed by the Port of Seattle and Foss Maritime over whether the port needs a new permit to host Shell's Arctic drilling rig.

The Seattle Times reports that a hearing was tentatively set for July 23-24.

The city of Seattle issued a violation notice to port last month, saying Shell's use of the port terminal to prepare for exploratory oil drilling in the Arctic Ocean violates the permitted use as a cargo terminal.

The port and Foss Maritime appealed the city's interpretation.

City planning spokeswoman Wendy Shark says penalties would have started Friday but the port, Shell and Foss Maritime won't be fined while the case is being appealed.