- U.S. Senator Ed Markey has criticized President Biden’s decision to back the Willow Project, which involves drilling for oil and gas in Alaska’s North Slope.
- Markey called it an environmental injustice and expressed concern over the project’s impact on the local environment and Indigenous communities.
- The Willow Project is being developed is expected to produce 100,000 barrels of oil per day.
- The project was approved by the Trump administration, but faced legal challenges from environmental groups and Indigenous communities.
- The Biden administration has defended its decision to support the project, citing economic and energy security benefits.
By WCUM Public Radio | March 16, 2023
The uppermost part of Alaska is called the North Slope. It contains a national petroleum reserve roughly the size of the state of Indiana. This week, the Biden administration approved a major new oil extraction project in that federal reserve, the ConocoPhillips Willow Project.
The decision has divided Democrats. Supporters say it will provide jobs.
Opponents say it makes it harder to slow climate change, including Democratic Senator Ed Markey of Massachusetts, who chairs the Senate Subcommittee on Clean Air, Climate and Nuclear Safety.
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