Key takeaways:
- The Willow Project is a decadeslong oil drilling venture in the National Petroleum Reserve, owned by the federal government.
- The project is expected to generate 9.2 million metric tons of carbon pollution a year, equivalent to adding 2 million gas-powered cars to the roads.
- The decision is likely to face a court challenge, and has angered climate advocates who say it goes against President Biden’s pledges to reduce emissions.
The Biden administration has approved the controversial Willow oil project on Alaska’s North Slope, a major climate decision that has drawn criticism from environmentalists. The project is expected to generate 9.2 million metric tons of carbon pollution a year, equivalent to adding 2 million gas-powered cars to the roads.
The Willow Project is a decadeslong oil drilling venture in the National Petroleum Reserve, owned by the federal government. It would allow three drill sites initially, with 219 total wells. The area holds up to 600 million barrels of oil, though it would take years to reach the market since the project has yet to be constructed.
The announcement comes a day after the administration said it would bar or limit drilling in some other areas of Alaska and the Arctic Ocean. This move has angered climate advocates, who say it goes against President Biden’s pledges to reduce emissions. The decision is likely to face a court challenge.
Meanwhile, gas prices in the U.S. have been falling since peaking in June. The Energy Information Administration reported that the national average price of regular gasoline was $2.86 per gallon on Monday, down from $2.96 a month ago.
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