FILE - This 2019 aerial photo provided by ConocoPhillips shows an exploratory drilling camp at the proposed site of the Willow oil project on Alaska's North Slope. The Biden administration is weighing approval of a major oil project on Alaska's petroleum-rich North Slope that supporters say represents an economic lifeline for Indigenous communities in the region but environmentalists say is counter to Biden's climate goals. A decision on ConocoPhillips Alaska's Willow project, in a federal oil reserve roughly the size of Indiana, could come by early March 2023. (ConocoPhillips via AP, File)
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Energy & Environment
Energy & Environment
The Big Story
Biden approves controversial Alaskan oil project
The Interior Department on Monday officially approved the Willow Project, ConocoPhillips’ effort to drill for the next 30 years in northwest Alaska.
The approval was expected after initial reports late last week that the White House had made the decision.
The project will include three drill sites, rejecting a fourth site that would have been deferred under the Biden administration’s proposal last month. Separately, on Sunday, the administration said that it would put some new restrictions on other drilling in the region.
However, environmental groups have excoriated the decision, labeling the project a “climate bomb.”
The federal government estimates the endeavor will generate about 576 million barrels of oil and 239 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions.
Welcome to The Hill’s Energy & Environment newsletter, we’re Rachel Frazin and Zack Budryk — keeping you up to speed on the policies impacting everything from oil and gas to new supply chains.
A new atmospheric river is expected to wash ashore this evening over California, where neighborhoods are still under water from a weekend of devastating floods and emergency rescues.
The Biden administration’s decision to approve a controversial oil project in Alaska is exacerbating tensions with progressives, who have been critical of recent administration moves toward the right.
The Biden administration on Monday approved a massive drilling project in Alaska, allowing oil company ConocoPhillips to move ahead with the 30-year project over objections from environmental groups.
Republicans are using their new control of the House and Democrats’ slim majority in the Senate to target Biden administration regulations governing everything from retirement savings to water policy.
AUSTIN (KXAN) — As you may have heard by now, La Niña has met its end and we’re currently in the neutral phase of the climate pattern El-Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO). While we’re expected to stay neutral through at least spring and possibly a good chunk of summer, a switch to El Niño is expected from late summer into fall.
As Enforcement Falls Short, Many Worry That Companies Are Flouting New Mexico’s Landmark Gas Flaring Rules (Inside Climate News)
The Company Testing Air in East Palestine Homes Was Hired by Norfolk Southern. Experts Say That Testing Isn’t Enough. (ProPublica)
Climate is changing too quickly for the Sierra Nevada’s ‘zombie forests’ (NPR)
On Tap
Upcoming news themes and events we’re watching:
The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee will hold hearings to examine implementing the Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act on Wednesday at 10 a.m.
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre on Monday called for former Vice President Mike Pence to apologize for the jokes he made about Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg’s paternity leave and using postpartum depression as a “punchline.” Read more
Russian officials railed against Ukraine’s talk of changing Russia’s official name to Muscovy, after a Ukrainian petition regarding a potential name change garnered 25,000 signatures. Read more
Opinions in The Hill
Op-eds related to energy & environment submitted to The Hill:
