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☆ Biden Shields Millions of Acres of Alaskan Wilderness From Drilling and Mining
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-19 | by ( Lisa Friedman | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The Biden administration expanded federal protections across millions of acres of Alaskan wilderness on Friday, blocking oil, gas and mining operations in some of the most unspoiled land in the country. It also announced it would ban drilling in more than half of the 23-million-acre National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska, an ecologically sensitive expanse north of the Arctic Circle. Together, the two moves amount to one of biggest efforts in history to shield Alaskan land from drilling and mining. They are expected to face challenges from industry as well as from elected leaders in Alaska, where oil and gas revenues make up much of the state’s budget and where mining is a main driver of the economy. “Alaska’s majestic and rugged lands and waters are among the most remarkable and healthy landscapes in the world, sustaining a vibrant subsistence economy for Alaska Native communities,” President Biden said in a statement.

Persons: Biden Organizations: Interior Department, and, Petroleum Reserve Locations: Alaska

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — A federal judge in Alaska on Friday rejected requests from environmental groups to halt winter construction work for the massive Willow oil project on Alaska’s North Slope while the groups’ legal fight over the drilling project wages on. U.S. District Court Judge Sharon Gleason just last month upheld the Biden administration’s approval in March of the ConocoPhillips Alaska project in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska and dismissed lawsuits brought by environmentalists and a grassroots Iñupiat group challenging Willow’s approval. Those groups are appealing that decision and asked Gleason to block winter construction work planned by ConocoPhillips Alaska while the appeal is pending. While ConocoPhillips Alaska had proposed five drilling sites, the U.S. Bureau of Land Management approved three, which it said would include up to 199 total wells. Erik Grafe, an attorney with Earthjustice, which represents several environmental groups in one of the cases, said Gleason's decision was disappointing.

Persons: Sharon Gleason, Gleason, Joe Biden’s, Rebecca Boys, Erik Grafe, Willow, ” Grafe Organizations: —, U.S, Biden, ConocoPhillips, National Petroleum Reserve, ConocoPhillips Alaska, U.S . Bureau of Land Management, Earthjustice Locations: JUNEAU, Alaska, ConocoPhillips Alaska, Willow

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — A federal judge on Thursday upheld the Biden administration’s approval of the Willow oil-drilling project on Alaska’s remote North Slope, a massive project that drew the ire of environmentalists who had accused the president of backpedaling on his pledge to combat climate change. She added that the alternatives analyzed by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management as part of its review were consistent with the policy objectives of the petroleum reserve and the stated purpose and need of the Willow project. The administration's action alienated and outraged some supporters, particularly young activists who launched a TikTok campaign to oppose the project ahead of its approval in March. Connor Dunn, vice president of the Willow project for ConocoPhillips Alaska, said in court documents that it was “highly unlikely” that Willow would proceed if the administration’s approval were to be vacated. Many Alaska Native leaders on the North Slope and groups with ties to the region have argued that Willow is economically vital for their communities.

Persons: backpedaling, Sharon Gleason, ” Gleason, Erik Grafe, Earthjustice, ” Bridget Psarianos, Inupiat, ” Psarianos, Joe Biden’s, Deb Haaland, Connor Dunn, Dunn, Gleason, Rebecca Boys, Willow, Trump, Biden, greenlight, Mike Dunleavy, “, ”, Nagruk Harcharek Organizations: —, Biden, National Petroleum Reserve, U.S . Bureau of Land Management, ConocoPhillips, Land Management, Gleason ., Alaska, Republican Gov Locations: JUNEAU, Alaska, North, Willow, ConocoPhillips Alaska, ”

☆ The marketing failure that's going to kill us all
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-19 | by ( Jake Safane | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +12 min

A good example of bad climate marketing comes from the Irish budget airline Ryanair. Carbon offsets involve contributing money to a project that will help avoid, reduce, or remove carbon emissions from the atmosphere, such as planting trees or building wind farms. Some of the most successful corporate efforts at climate marketing place more emphasis on consumers' personal concerns. According to the International Energy Agency, global carbon emissions reached a record high last year. The more you focus on what everyday people care about, Berger said, the more effective your marketing campaign will be.

Persons: they've, —, Jonah Berger, that's, Jonathan Ernst, Biden, Jenna DiPaolo, DiPaolo, John Oliver, Oliver, Ben Forman, Ryanair, Forman, " Forman, Tesla, " Berger, Berger, Jake Safane Organizations: Keystone XL, Pew Research, Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, REUTERS, National Petroleum Reserve, Greenpeace, Wildlife, Ryanair, International Monetary Fund, International Energy Agency, United Nations Locations: Canada, Alaska, Greenpeace USA, Ireland, Phoenix

☆ ‘Extremely risky’: OPEC criticizes IEA forecast that fossil fuel demand will peak before 2030
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-14 | by ( Sam Meredith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Oil producer group OPEC on Thursday sharply criticized the IEA's forecast that demand for fossil fuels like coal, oil and gas will peak before the end of the decade, describing such a narrative as "extremely risky," "impractical" and "ideologically driven." The IEA, the world's leading energy watchdog, said Tuesday that the world was now at the "beginning of the end" of the fossil fuel era. His assessment is based off of the IEA's World Energy Outlook, an influential report which is due out in October. OPEC, a multinational group of mainly Middle Eastern and African nations, published a statement Thursday to outline its objections to the IEA chief's forecast. OPEC said that previous predictions of peak fossil fuel demand had failed to materialize.

Persons: Biden, Fatih Birol, Birol, Haitham, Ghais Organizations: Trans, Trans Alaska Pipeline System, National Petroleum Reserve, Financial Times, Energy, OPEC, IEA Locations: Trans Alaska, Alaska, Delta Junction

☆ Why Biden’s ban on drilling in the Alaska National Wildlife Refuge likely won’t affect gas prices
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-07 | by ( Elisabeth Buchwald | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

The ban, announced on Wednesday, cancels seven Trump-era oil and gas leases in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and prevents drilling on more than 13 million acres in the federal National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska. The Biden administration has annouced a ban on oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska. “There’s little power to drill, pipeline to carry the crude oil, roads and everything needed basically to drill for oil,” he told CNN. The ban on drilling in the region would “not at all” hurt consumers in the future, De Haan said. Meanwhile, extreme summer heat has prevented many US refineries from operating at full capacity, leading to elevated gas prices throughout the peak driving season.

Persons: Biden, Joe Biden, Patrick De Haan, ”, De Haan, Brent Organizations: New, New York CNN, Trump, Wildlife, National Petroleum Reserve, Asahi Shimbun, CNN, Brent, Labor, AAA Locations: New York, Alaska, Russia, Saudi Arabia, North

Litigation over the approval of the Willow project is pending. Many of those same voices pressed Biden to approve the Willow project for the same reason. “Once again, the Arctic Refuge is free of oil leases. Haaland later in 2021 ordered a new environmental review after concluding there were “multiple legal deficiencies” underlying the Trump-era leasing program. Major oil companies sat out the sale, held after prominent banks had announced they would not finance Arctic oil and gas projects.

Persons: Biden, Willow, “, Biden's, Deb Haaland, —, ”, Mary Peltola, Jamie Williams, Sen, Dan Sullivan, Haaland, Bernadette Demientieff, ___, Bernadette Demientieff's, Daly Organizations: Republicans, Wildlife Refuge, Trump, National Petroleum Reserve, The, ConocoPhillips, Democratic, Wildlife, U.S, Rep, Willow, Wednesday, Wilderness Society, Alaska Republican, Alaska Industrial Development, Export Authority Locations: JUNEAU, Alaska, ConocoPhillips Alaska, ANWR, America, Alaska Republican U.S, Washington ,

☆ Biden Administration to Bar Drilling on Millions of Acres in Alaska
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-06 | by ( Lisa Friedman | More About Lisa Friedman | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

In its most aggressive move yet to protect federal land from oil and gas exploration, the Biden administration announced on Wednesday that it would prohibit drilling in 13 million acres of pristine wilderness in the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska and cancel all drilling leases in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. The new regulations would ensure what the administration called “maximum protections” for nearly half of the petroleum reserve but would not stop the enormous $8 billion Willow oil drilling project in the same vicinity, which President Biden approved this year. Climate activists, particularly young environmentalists, were angered by Mr. Biden’s decision in March to allow the Willow project, calling it a “carbon bomb.” Many called the move a betrayal of Mr. Biden’s campaign promise of “no new drilling, period” on federal lands and waters. Since then, the administration has taken pains to emphasize its efforts to reduce the carbon emissions that result from burning oil and gas and that are driving climate change.

Persons: Biden, Mr, Biden’s Organizations: National Petroleum Reserve, Wildlife Locations: Alaska

Interior Department on Wednesday said it would cancel oil and gas leases in a federal wildlife refuge that were bought by an Alaska state development agency in the final days of former President Donald Trump's administration. Environmentalists and an Alaska indigenous group praised the move while a Republican Senator from Alaska slammed it. A Republican-passed tax bill in 2017 opened the area to oil and gas leasing and directed Interior to hold two lease sales by December 2024. The oil and gas industry largely failed to embrace the 2021 lease sale, which generated just $14 million in high bids, mostly from AIDEA. “We commend Secretary Haaland for canceling unlawfully issued oil-and-gas leases in the Arctic Refuge,” Abigail Dillen, president of environmental group Earthjustice, said in a statement.

Persons: Donald Trump's, Joe Biden, Biden, Deb Haaland, AIDEA, “, ” Abigail Dillen, Dan Sullivan, Interior's, Jarrett Renshaw, Nichola Groom, Chizu Nomiyama, David Gregorio, Mark Porter Organizations: U.S . Fish, Wildlife Service, Library, Fish, REUTERS, Conocophillips, U.S . Interior Department, Alaska Industrial Development, Export Authority, Wildlife, Democrat, National Petroleum Reserve, Alaska Natives, Trump, ConocoPhillips, United Nations, ALASKA Trump's Interior Department, Republican, Biden, Thomson Locations: Beaufort, Wildlife Service Alaska, U.S, Alaska, United States, ALASKA Trump's, ANWR, Washington, Los Angeles

☆ A multitrillion-dollar carbon bubble? Climate chief warns world leaders over fossil fuel plans
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-16 | by ( Sam Meredith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

The message from the world's leading climate scientists in April last year was that a substantial reduction in fossil fuel use will be necessary to curb global heating. The burning of fossil fuels such as coal, oil and gas is the chief driver of the crisis. Indeed, the IPCC said that current fossil fuel use was already more than the planet could handle and additional projects were destined to lock in even greater emissions with devastating consequences. The U.N. climate panel also estimated that fossil fuel investors could be at risk of losing between $1 trillion and $4 trillion if governments act to limit global temperature rise. Despite this, some of the world's richest nations, such as the U.S. and China, have cited energy security as a reason for investing in additional fossil fuel projects.

Persons: Jim Skea, Fabrice Coffrini, Skea, We've, Fethi Belaid, Hoesung Lee, Rishi Sunak's, Danny Lawson, Biden, Mario Tama Organizations: Afp, Getty, CNBC, South, Imperial College London, Greenpeace, United Arab, Social, Trans, Trans Alaska Pipeline System, National Petroleum Reserve Locations: Algeria, Europe, North Africa, East, Asia, staving, China, Ukraine, Paris, Richmond , North Yorkshire, United Arab Emirates, Trans Alaska, Alaska, Delta Junction

CompaniesCompanies Law Firms Conocophillips FollowApril 3 (Reuters) - A federal judge on Monday rejected a bid by environmentalists to temporarily suspend the U.S. government’s approval of ConocoPhillips' (COP.N) multibillion-dollar oil drilling project in Alaska’s Arctic. Gleason said an injunction was inappropriate because the groups wouldn't be irreparably harmed by the construction that ConocoPhillips has scheduled for this month, which includes building roads and a gravel mine. Bridget Psarianos, an attorney challenging the approval, called the planned construction schedule "aggressive" and said the judge's decision is "heartbreaking." The approvals for the project in northern Alaska give ConocoPhillips permission to construct three drill pads, 25.8 miles of gravel roads, an air strip and hundreds of miles of ice roads. The 30-year project would produce up to 180,000 barrels of oil per day at its peak, according to the company.

☆ Alaska oil drilling protesters disrupt White House climate adviser appearance
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Companies Conocophillips FollowWASHINGTON, March 20 (Reuters) - Protesters criticizing President Joseph Biden's approval of an oil drilling project in Alaska on Monday blocked an administration official from delivering a speech about U.S. climate leadership. Ali Zaidi, White House climate adviser, was unable to address the event on the "Future of U.S. A dozen protesters holding a sign saying "End Fossil Fuels" chanted: "Keep your promise, no new drilling" for several minutes, preventing Zaidi from starting his remarks. Protesters believe the Willow decision may overshadow Biden's other climate achievements. The administration has been touting climate investments stemming from its signature climate law called the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA)and its bipartisan infrastructure law.

☆ Biden Administration Approves Willow Oil-Drilling Project in Alaskan Arctic
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-13 | by ( Benoît Morenne | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

The Willow approval paves the way for ConocoPhillips to build more than 430 miles of ice roads and other infrastructure. The Biden administration approved the massive Willow oil-drilling project in the Alaskan Arctic over the objections of environmentalists and many Democrats who wanted the project scuttled. The green light means Houston-based ConocoPhillips can start construction on its roughly $7 billion project in Alaska’s National Petroleum Reserve, which the company expects will produce about 180,000 barrels of oil a day at its peak—equivalent to about 40% of Alaska’s current crude production.

☆ Biden Interior approves controversial Alaska oil drilling project
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-13 | by ( Emma Newburger | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Climate activists gather to protest with demanding President Biden stop the Willow Project by unfurling a banner on the Lafayette Square in front of the White House on January 10, 2023 in Washington D.C. The Biden administration approved a major and controversial oil drilling plan in Alaska, known as Willow, just one day after unveiling protections for more than 16 million acres of land and water in the region. Environmental groups have long condemned the plan, arguing it undermines the administration's pledge to combat climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Prior to the president's decision, the Interior Department's Bureau of Land Management released an environmental analysis last month that proposed lowering the number of drilling sites from five to three under the project. The Interior said it had "substantial concerns" about Willow, including its direct and indirect emissions and its impact on local wildlife.

Companies Conocophillips FollowWASHINGTON, March 13 (Reuters) - The oil industry on Monday cheered the U.S. government's greenlighting of ConocoPhillips' multibillion-dollar oil drilling project in Alaska's Arctic, but court challenges could mire the plans in further delays. President Joe Biden's administration approved a trimmed-down version of the $7 billion Willow project on federal lands in a pristine area on Alaska's north coast. Kristen Monsell, a senior attorney at the Center for Biological Diversity, another group involved in the previous suits, said Monday's approval for the Willow project is "still inadequate in numerous respects." Senator Dan Sullivan, a Republican from Alaska, told reporters the state's lawmakers are prepared to defend the decision against "frivolous" legal challenges. Even if Interior could beat back the oil company's challenge, it would probably only mean another delay for Willow, he said.

☆ Biden promised 'no more drilling on federal lands, period.' He just broke that pledge to approve a massive oil project in Alaska.
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-13 | by ( Eliza Relman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

On the campaign trail in 2020, Biden promised to ban all new oil drilling on federal land. But he just broke a key campaign pledge to stop all new oil drilling on federal land in a major way. A Biden administration official insisted that the government's hands were tied by leases granted to ConocoPhillips by prior administrations. Despite these protections, the Willow project is expected to come with significant environmental costs, aside from contributing to planet-warming emissions. March 13, 2023: This story has been updated with comment from a Biden administration official.

☆ Biden plans limits on oil drilling in Alaska, Arctic Circle, AP reports
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

March 12 (Reuters) - U.S. President Joe Biden will prevent or limit oil drilling in 13 million acres of Alaska and the Arctic Ocean, the Associated Press reported on Sunday, citing an administration official. The reported move comes as Biden's administration earlier this week said that it has not yet made a final decision on whether to approve ConocoPhillips' (COP.N) massive Willow oil project in northwest Alaska. To start with, Biden will bar drilling in nearly 3 million acres of the Arctic Ocean, closing off the rest of its federal waters from oil exploration. Citing the administration official, the report added that the administration will then develop new rules for more than 13 million acres in the National Petroleum Reserve - Alaska. ConocoPhillips' Willow project has support from the oil and gas industry and state officials eager for jobs, but it is opposed by environmental groups who want to move rapidly away from fossil fuels to combat climate change.

☆ Factbox: What is the Willow project in Alaska, and why do green activists oppose it?
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/2] The sun sets behind an oil drilling rig in Prudhoe Bay, Alaska on March 17, 2011. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson/File PhotoMarch 13 (Reuters) - U.S. President Joe Biden's administration on Monday announced it would approve a trimmed-down version of ConocoPhillips' Willow oil and gas drilling project in Alaska, triggering angry reactions from climate activists. Here are some details about the project:WHAT IS THE WILLOW PROJECT? The Willow project is a $6 billion proposal from ConocoPhillips (COP.N) to drill oil and gas in Alaska. The Willow project area holds an estimated 600 million barrels of oil, or more than the amount currently held in the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve, the country's emergency supply.

☆ Factbox: Willow oil and gas project in Alaska sparks green opposition
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

March 3 (Reuters) - Environmental and climate activists are rallying online against ConocoPhillips’ proposed Willow oil and gas drilling project in Alaska as the administration of U.S. President Joe Biden weighs whether to greenlight the controversial plan. Here are some details about the project:WHAT IS THE WILLOW PROJECT? The Willow project is a $6 billion proposal from ConocoPhillips' (COP.N) to drill oil and gas in Alaska. The Willow project area holds an estimated 600 million barrels of oil, or more than the amount currently held in the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve, the country's emergency supply. The Biden administration has also been urging U.S. oil companies to invest in boosting production to help keep consumer energy prices in check.

☆ The Willow Oil Test for Biden
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-02 | by ( The Editorial Board | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

President Biden says the only barrier to more U.S. oil production is recalcitrant drillers. Ok, Mr. President, then are you going to approve Alaska’s Willow project? ConocoPhillips acquired its first Willow leases in 1999 in Alaska’s National Petroleum Reserve (NPR-A), an area the size of Indiana that Congress specifically set aside for oil development. It’s the largest pending oil and gas project in the U.S., with expected production of 180,000 barrels of oil a day, and 600 million over 30 years.

☆ Biden administration moves toward approval for major Alaska oil drilling project
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-01 | by ( Emma Newburger | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

The Biden administration on Wednesday recommended a scaled-down version of a major oil drilling project in the North Slope of Alaska, taking a step toward approving the $8 billion Willow plan that climate groups have long condemned. The Biden administration has 30 days to issue a final decision on whether to approve the Willow project. The Willow project would produce about 600 million barrels of oil over 30 years and would generate around 278 million metric tons of carbon emissions, according to Interior estimates. Kristen Miller, executive director of the nonprofit Alaska Wilderness League, called the Willow project a "massive climate disaster" and urged the administration to reverse its decision to advance the plan. "We should be prioritizing ways to preserve this irreplaceable ecosystem, by protecting critical wildlife and subsistence resources and avoiding increased climate pollution.

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