Officials from the Department of the Interior have announced they will miss a deadline for deciding whether to protect the polar bear under the Endangered Species Act. The Department proposed listing the species as "threatened" (one step short of endangered) last January. (More info on the proposal.) The decision on the polar bear is particularly important because scientists have shown the greatest threat to the species' survival is global climate change. If the Department chooses to grant the polar bear protection, it would be the first species to be given protection because of the adverse effects of climate change. Considering the Bush record on regulatory protections, one wonders if impropriety is afoot. According to the Associated Press, "Listing polar bears as 'threatened' with extinction could trigger limits on development, particularly oil and gas exploration and production, which could harm the animals." Could industry groups be lobbying against the decision? According to previous Federal Register notices, the polar bear listing is a "nonsignificant" regulatory action. Therefore, it is not undergoing a White House review, as endangered species listings sometimes do. Department officials say they hope to finalize their decision in February. But if the delay continues, further investigation will be warranted. Reg•Watch Update: "Polar Bear Trails Oil and Gas in Race to a Decision"