Willow Project to Move Ahead

Alaska lawmakers praised a decision by a federal judge not to award a preliminary injunction that would have stopped a drilling project on Alaska’s North Slope.

Environmental groups asked for an injunction to stop what is known as the Willow Project after it was approved by the Biden administration last month. The approval allows ConocoPhillips to drill for oil in three locations.

U.S. District Judge Sharon Gleason rejected a motion from the environmental groups to halt the project.

The project has bipartisan support among state and federal lawmakers.

“With this decision, the court acknowledges the years that the Willow Project has already spent under extensive litigation and environmental review, the approval of multiple levels of government, and the strong support for the project from the majority of affected Alaska Native groups,” said U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola, D-Alaska. “It’s finally time for Alaskans to get to work, and I look forward to seeing construction begin as we await the final resolution of this case.” (Excerpt from Just the News.)