The Willow Project
Joe Biden breaks his campaign promises and allows the Alaska oil project
Environmentalists are crying out, but the oil lobby is rejoicing: US President Joe Biden has given the go-ahead for a major, controversial oil project in Alaska. Before his election, he had ruled that out.
published
Alaska Pipeline: The region has large reserves of oil and gas.
imago’s photo/gwhitton
This is on the mainland as well as abroad.
Image by Imago/Ken Graham
The Prudhoe Bay oil field in Alaska.
images by imago/UIG
Protests against the new oil projects erupted in front of the White House.
IMAGO/Images only
In 1989, the wrecked Exxon Valdez oil tanker caused significant environmental damage in Alaska.
Imago Pictures / Zuma Wire
-
US President Joe Biden gave his approval to new oil exploration in Alaska.
-
Before his election, he promised not to approve any new funding projects.
-
Economics welcomes the decision, but climate advocates are dismayed.
US President Joe Biden has approved a major, controversial oil project in Alaska, breaking one of his key promises on climate and environmental protection. The official announcement is on Monday The so-called willow draft The permit came a day after plans were announced to ban or limit oil drilling in some other areas of Alaska and the Arctic Ocean. Environmental and climate activists will likely be upset by Willow’s decision.
Biden’s permit initially allows three well fields Project developer ConocoPhillips Where 219 wells will be drilled. A fourth oil field was rejected. The oil company described Biden’s plan as “viable.” But environmentalists said Biden’s approval violated his campaign promises to stop drilling for oil on public lands. According to Conoco Phillips, the Willow project could produce up to 180,000 barrels of oil per day. The construction will create up to 2,500 jobs, and 300 jobs will be created for ongoing operations in the long term. According to the company, government agencies can expect billions in taxes and other revenue.
Environmental campaign launched
Politically, the project has widespread support in the United States. However, environmental activists launched a campaign on social media under the hashtag #StopWillow to remind Biden of his commitments to reduce climate-damaging greenhouse gas emissions.
The US Department of the Interior had previously raised concerns about the project’s direct and indirect emissions and their impact on flora, fauna, and indigenous livelihoods.
The White House said Sunday that Biden would ban or limit oil production in areas covering about 6.5 million hectares in Alaska and the Arctic Ocean, including 1.2 million hectares in the Beaufort Sea. Environmentalists welcomed this. At the same time, Earth Justice Commission chair Abigail Dillen said Biden should extend the protections to Willow as well. “You have the power to stop Willow,” she said.
With the daily update, you stay up to date on your favorite topics and never miss any more news about current world events.
Receive the most important information directly in your mailbox every day.
(DPA/TRX)
“Typical entrepreneur. Lifelong beer expert. Hipster-friendly internet buff. Analyst. Social media enthusiast.”