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WASHINGTON — A federal judge in Alaska on Wednesday blocked construction permits for a large oil drilling project on the state’s North Slope designed to produce more than 100,000 barrels of oil per day over the next 30 years.
The billion-dollar plan, known as Willow by oil giant ConocoPhillips, was approved by the Trump administration and legally backed by the Biden administration. Environmental groups sued, arguing that the federal government did not consider the effects of drilling on wildlife and the effects of burning oil on global warming.
A federal judge agreed.
in it ideaJudge Sharon L. Gleason, of the United States District Court for the District of Alaska, said that when the Trump administration authorized the project, it was “arbitrary and capricious” that the Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Land Management excluded greenhouse gas emissions in its analysis of the project’s environmental impacts.
The Willow project has become a political and environmental lightning rod not only because of its massive size and potential ecological damage, but also because of President Biden’s administration, which has pledged to get the country off fossil fuels in an ambitious effort to tackle climate change. change – he had legally chosen to support it.
In May, the Biden administration drew the wrath of environmental advocates when it filed a case with the U.S. District Court for the Alaska District. Defending the Trump administration’s decision to greenlight the Willow project. The Department of the Interior later said the Trump administration’s decision complied with environmental rules in effect at the time.
Environmental groups saw in Wednesday’s decision the validity of their strong criticism of the Biden administration’s decision not to oppose the drilling plan.
“This is a huge win for our customers and the climate,” wrote Earthjustice attorney Jeremy Lieb, who represents multiple plaintiffs in the lawsuit against the Trump administration’s approval of the project. “The court’s decision invalidates the Trump administration’s decision to approve the Willow project, and we hope the Biden administration uses this opportunity to reconsider the project in light of its commitment to addressing the climate emergency.”
Home Office spokeswoman Melissa Schwartz declined to comment on the decision, and a White House spokesperson did not respond to an emailed request for comment.
A spokesperson for ConocoPhillips did not respond to an emailed question about whether the company would appeal the court’s decision.
Mr. Biden’s decision not to fight the Willow project despite his commitment to tackling climate change was widely viewed as a political effort to win over the goodwill of moderate Republican senator Lisa Murkowski, who was recently seen as a potential ally of the administration. equally divided Senate.
In recent months, Ms. Murkowski has played a central role in establishing and lining up Republican support for sweeping efforts. $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill The resolution passed the Senate earlier this month that gave Mr. Biden a major victory in enacting his agenda.
Just before the administration gave its briefing in defense of the Willow project, Home Secretary Deb Haaland telephoned Ms. Murkowski to inform her of the move.
A spokesperson for Ms. Murkowski did not respond to an emailed request for comment on the judge’s decision.
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