Alaska's Willow oil project is controversial. Here's why.
Supporters say a major oil project President Joe Biden is OK'ing on Alaska’s petroleum-rich North Slope represents an economic lifeline for Indigenous communities while environmentalists say it runs counter to his climate goals
By BECKY BOHRER, MATTHEW BROWN and MATTHEW DALY
Published - Mar 13, 2023, 09:00 PM ET
Last Updated - Jun 22, 2023, 04:30 PM EDT
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — The Biden administration is approving 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 President Joe Biden's climate goals.
WHAT IS THE WILLOW PROJECT?
The project could produce up to 180,000 barrels of oil a day, according to the company — about 1.5% of total U.S. oil production. Willow is currently the largest proposed oil project on U.S. public land. Alaska Republican U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan said the development could be “one of the biggest, most important resource development projects in our state’s history.”
