The Obama administration has given an oil company the go-ahead to drill for oil and gas off the coast of Alaska, a move that one association called a "logical decision."

Shell plans to drill for oil in the Chukchi Sea, which is located between Alaska and Russia. The company was given final approval for drilling by the U.S. Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement after it repaired a piece of equipment designed to shut off oil spills before they become a major environmental hazard, according to news reports.

Environmental groups were quick to decry the administration's decision, especially since it came before the president's trip to Alaska to talk about combating climate change.

The response from the business community has been muted. One exception was the National Ocean Industries Institute, which called it a logical decision given other countries are pursing their offshore Arctic oil and gas programs.

"Many agree that there is huge potential for oil and natural gas in the Arctic, but the only way to prove such resources exist is to actually explore," NOIA said. "It is time to move forward so that Alaskans can benefit from increased economic and energy development off their shores, and the U.S. can reap the rewards of increased energy security."

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