Six environmental groups have filed a lawsuit to thwart the ConocoPhillips Willow oil project in Alaska after it was approved by President Joe Biden’s administration.
The groups said the administration approved the project despite being aware of the harm to Arctic communities, wildlife and the climate, arguing that it would cause toxic emissions, pollution and global warming, undermining Biden’s climate promises.
The project is estimated to produce about 576 million barrels of oil over 30 years and will be located on part of Alaska’s North Slope, one of the last pristine wilderness areas in the country.
The Willow Project, which was first greenlit during the administration of former President Donald Trump, has the backing of officials including Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski and some Alaska Native leaders and labor unions.
Environmental groups have accused government agencies of not accounting for the impact on land used by Alaska Natives and endangered animal species such as polar bears.
The lawsuit states: “The project will lead to the construction and operation of large-scale oil and gas networks and other infrastructure in vulnerable Arctic habitats and will have a significant impact on wildlife, air, water, land and people in the region.”
She noted that the Bureau of Land Management violated the National Environmental Policy Act by failing to consider reasonable alternatives that would minimize the impact.
Source: axios
