Offshore drilling forum set for Anchorage

Alaska's version of deepwater drilling, well containment and oil spill response are on the agenda for a federal fact-finding forum sponsored by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement.

The forum is set for 8 a.m. Aug. 26 at the Dena'ina Civic and Convention Center in downtown Anchorage.

The forum is one of several BOEM is holding around the country following the Deepwater Horizon blowout and spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Information will be used to determine whether the suspension of deepwater drilling ordered by the federal government in July should be lifted or modified.

Other forums, including those in New Orleans, Alabama and Florida, have featured panels of experts from the industry, environmental community and academia presenting their thoughts and input. Those panels for the Anchorage meeting have not been finalized.