United States President Joe Biden confirmed this Monday A controversial oil extraction project in the state of AlaskaIn a decision known as ‘Willow’, which has been fiercely criticized by environmental groups.
The approval is in a report made public on the Department of the Interior’s website this Monday, detailing the project, which will be led by oil giant ConocoPhillips.
The project will be located within the Alaska National Petroleum Reserve, on federal government public land, and approximately 200 miles north of the Arctic Circle. one of the richest places in terms of biodiversity and one of the least discovered in the United States.
For now, the Biden government will only allow ConocoPhillips to start oil drilling in three fields. According to the report in question, the company wanted to start drilling at two more points, but the Management delayed its decision on this issue.
According to ConocoPhillips, the project could produce 180,000 barrels Oil A day when you are at the peak of your performanceIt will create 250,000 permanent jobs during the construction phase and 300 permanent jobs when it becomes operational.
Also will create ‘Willow’ project $8,000 to $17,000 million in revenue ConocoPhillips states on its website that it is through taxes for the federal government, the state of Alaska, and local governments in the region.
Dozens of environmental groups, such as the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), criticized Biden’s decision on Monday. is breaking its promises to reduce greenhouse gases and promote clean energy.
Several groups also warned that they would consider different options to halt the project, including filing a lawsuit against the Biden government.
Environmental groups oppose the ‘Willow’ project. It will pollute Alaska’s water and air and will affect the migration patterns of animals.
In addition, the project will release approximately 239 million metric tons of greenhouse gases into the air over its 30-year lifespan, according to two dozen organizations, including the Alaska Wilderness League, in a joint statement.
Announcement made about ‘Willow’ project A day after local media announced that the Biden government would set limits on oil drilling in the Arctic Ocean and on Alaska’s North Slope in an effort to please environmental groups.