Alaska Judge Upholds Biden Administration’s Approval of Willow Oil Drilling Project

A federal judge in Alaska has upheld the Biden administration’s approval of the Willow oil-drilling project on the state’s remote North Slope. This project, which has sparked criticism from environmentalists, drew attention for its potential impact on climate change.

Judge Sharon Gleason dismissed the claims made by a grassroots Iñupiat group and environmentalists who sought to overturn the approval, stating that their arguments did not hold.

Concerns were raised about the greenhouse gas emissions from the project and its potential impact on ice-reliant species such as the polar bear, Arctic ringed seals, and bearded seals, which are already vulnerable due to climate change.

The decision is subject to appeal.

The Willow project, located in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska, has garnered political support in the state. However, it has been criticized by climate activists as a departure from President Joe Biden’s promise to halt new oil drilling on federal lands.

ConocoPhillips Alaska proposed five drilling sites, but the U.S. Bureau of Land Management only approved three, which could potentially include up to 199 wells. The project’s peak production could reach 180,000 barrels of oil per day, leading to significant greenhouse gas emissions over its projected 30-year lifespan.