Biden Approves 30-Year Oil-Drilling Project in Northern Alaska
AllSides Summary
President Biden approved Conoco-Phillips’ Willow oil-drilling project in the northern region of Alaska on Monday.
Details: Conoco-Phillips estimates the three-decade project will produce up to 180,000 barrels of oil a day, generate 2,500 jobs and billions of dollars in royalties and tax revenue. Environmentalists criticized the project for the predicted climate impact of the drilling— the US Bureau of Land Management estimates the Willow project will generate 278 million metric tons of CO2e. Along with his approval of the plan, Biden also announced limitations on fossil fuel drilling on 16 million acres of federal land in Alaska and in the Arctic Ocean.
Key Quotes: Rep. Mary Peltola (D-AK) stated that “the majority of Alaska Natives, and the majority of Alaskans are in support of this.” Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R) praised the plan, stating, “not only will this mean jobs and revenue for Alaska, it will be resources that are needed for the country and for our friends and allies” An article from the Sierra Club (Lean Left Bias) criticized the decision, stating it could “undo the clean energy progress we've made, lock us into fossil fuel drilling for another 30 years, and threaten the communities and wildlife who rely on these Alaskan landscapes.”
How The Media Covered It: Outlets across the spectrum highlighted divisions among Democrats and environmentalists regarding the plan. Right-rated outlets reported more on the implications of Biden’s restrictions on future drilling in the region.
Featured Coverage of this Story
From the Right
Biden approves massive oil drilling project climate activists derided as 'carbon bomb'
The Biden administration announced Monday that it is moving forward with approving a massive 30-year oil drilling project in Alaska over objections from climate activists and Democratic lawmakers about its environmental impact.
The Department of Interior (DOI) approved three of the five drilling sites proposed by oil company ConocoPhillips as part of its Willow Project in the National Petroleum Reserve (NPR-A) located in North Slope Borough, Alaska. ConocoPhillips previously stated that, for the project to remain economically viable, the federal government would need to approve at least three of the...
From the Center
Willow Project: US government approves Alaska oil and gas development
US President Joe Biden has approved a major oil and gas drilling project in Alaska that faced strong opposition from environmental activists.
The company behind the Willow project, ConocoPhillips, says it will create local investment and thousands of jobs.
But the $8bn (£6.6bn) proposal faced a torrent of online activism in recent weeks, particularly among youth activists on TikTok.
Opponents argued it should be halted over its climate and wildlife impacts.
Located on Alaska's remote North Slope, it is the largest oil development in the region for decades and could...
From the Left
AP sources: Biden OKs huge Willow oil project in Alaska
The Biden administration is approving the controversial major Willow oil project on Alaska’s petroleum-rich North Slope, according to two people familiar with the decision.
The decision being announced Monday is one of President Joe Biden’s most consequential climate choices and is likely to draw condemnation from environmentalists who say it flies in the face of the Democratic president’s pledges.
Biden’s plan would allow three drill sites initially, the sources said, which project developer ConocoPhillips has said would include about 219 total wells. The company has said it considers that option workable. ConocoPhillips...
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