A federal judge is ruling against the former Trump administration’s approval of a huge oil drilling project in Alaska. Judge Sharon Gleason found fault in the environmental assessment of the ConocoPhillips’ Willow project. She called the Bureau of Land Management’s decision to exclude greenhouse gas emission levels from the report “arbitrary and capricious.”
Gov. Mike Dunleavy issued a statement:
“Make no mistake, today’s ruling from a federal judge trying to shelve a major oil project on American soil does one thing: outsources production to dictatorships & terrorist organizations. This is a horrible decision. We are giving America over to our enemies piece by piece. The Willow project would power America with 160,000 barrels a day, provide 1000s of family-supporting jobs, and greatly benefit the people of Alaska.”
Senate President Peter Micciche:
“Today’s obviously disappointing ruling is a major setback for Alaska’s economy and America’s national security. In the Willow project lies the hope of 160,000 barrels of oil per day in the pipeline, revenue for education, public safety and other services Alaskans rely on, thousands of good-paying jobs for Alaska families, and access to lower fuel prices for American consumers. As a world-leader in environmentally responsible resource development, Alaska should not be held hostage by a small group of litigious environmental activists. I encourage an appeal of this decision to a higher court capable of a broader, more balanced view.”
The Willow project is located in the National Petroleum Reserve- Alaska, an area set aside by the federal government for oil and gas production. If developed, Willow would achieve peak daily production of 160,000 barrels of high quality crude oil. Earlier this year, the State of Alaska intervened joined in the lawsuit to defend the Bureau of Land Management’s approval of the Willow Project.
The project, which was also backed by the Biden administration, would have allowed the company to produce nearly 600-million total barrels of oil over 30 years.