Robert Besser
17 Mar 2023, 05:11 GMT+10
WASHINGTON D.C.: Despite a last-minute campaign from opponents, the US Department of Interior said that the Biden administration will approve a scaled-back version of a $7 billion oil and gas drilling project in Alaska known as "Willow" and proposed by ConocoPhillips.
The project will create hundreds of jobs and bring billions of dollars in revenue to the state and country, said elected officials from Alaska, which relies heavily on oil revenue, despite output declining heavily from its peak in the 1980s.
On a call with reporters, US Representative Mary Peltola, a Democrat from Alaska, said, "I feel the people of Alaska have been heard. The state of Alaska cannot carry the burden of solving our global warming issues alone."
The United Nations, which has urged countries to transition away from fossil fuels, criticized the decision.
UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric told reporters, "These are not projects that move us in the right direction."
Environmental groups also criticized the Biden administration's decision, stressing it was trying to have it "both ways" regarding climate change.
Environmental groups have said they would challenge the project in court.
Having already endorsed the smaller version of the project, Houston-based ConocoPhillips lauded the US decision.
In a statement, ConocoPhillips Chief Executive Ryan Lance said, "This was the right decision for Alaska and our nation."
Meanwhile, US Senator Lisa Murkowski, an Alaska Republican, welcomed the "good news," stating "this will mean jobs and revenue for Alaska," by pumping upwards of 180,000 barrels of oil per day into the Trans Alaska Pipeline.
Get a daily dose of The UK News news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to The UK News.
More InformationWASHINGTON D.C.: The US Supreme Court will hear a trademark dispute over a dog toy shaped like a Jack Daniel's ...
KABUL, Afghanistan: Afghanistan's education ministry has announced that the country's school year has begun, but the United Nations children's agency, ...
TAIPEI, Taiwan: In an effort to ease tensions between Taiwan and China, former Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou will visit Beijing ...
NIAMEY, Niger: Four weeks after US Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Niger, an American aid worker and a French ...
BRUSSELS, Belgium: While chairing a meeting of EU foreign and defense ministers in Brussels this week, European Union (EU) foreign ...
BANGUI, Central African Republic: Authorities from the Central African Republic have said that nine Chinese nationals were killed and two ...
New York City FC acquired midfielder Richy Ledezma on loan from the Dutch side PSV Eindhoven on Friday. The deal ...
The Los Angeles Galaxy's quest for their first victory of the season continues on Saturday when they visit the Portland ...
Mungyeong [South Korea], March 24 (ANI): The Indian Women's Hockey Team midfielder Salima Tete was honoured with the AHF Emerging ...
New Delhi [India], March 24 (ANI): The Indian Women's Hockey Team midfielder Salima Tete has been appointed as the AHF ...
New Delhi [India], March 24 (ANI): The Ministry of External Affairs on Friday reiterated that it will take all necessary ...
London [United Kingdom], March 24 (ANI): Harry Kane one of the most prolific strikers in the history of English football ...