U.S. review backs smaller version of major Alaska drilling project

This post was originally published on this site

The U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) published the project’s final environmental review, a major last step before issuing a final decision.

In the document, the agency selected a “preferred alternative” that would allow the oil and gas company to build three drill sites. ConocoPhillips had initially proposed to build up to five drill sites, dozens of miles of roads, seven bridges, and pipelines.

In a statement, the Interior Department said the selection of the preferred alternative was not a final decision on approval of the project, adding that it had “substantial concerns” about Willow’s impact on greenhouse gas emissions and wildlife.

The fate of the massive Willow project is being closely watched by both the oil and gas industry and environmental groups as President Joe Biden seeks to balance his goals of fighting climate change with calls to increase domestic fuel supplies to keep prices down.