The Biden administration appears poised to approve a major oil drilling operation on
The proposed
Despite "substantial concerns," the government indicated tentative approval for the project to move forward, but stipulated stiff conditions that include newly established protections for wildlife in the region and paring down the overall size of the project from five wellheads to three.
The move was likely to trigger legal challenges from environmentalists and native populations in the region.
"That decision may select a different alternative, including no action, or the deferral of additional drill pads beyond the single deferral described under the preferred alternative," the
The government said it plans to make its final decision on the Willow project by next month, but environmental groups were already seething over an apparent about-face by President
The administration has made several previous attempts to curtail or eliminate oil and gas development on federal territory, but the sheer scope of this proposal -- which could potentially sully the biggest swath of pristine public land in the country -- has significantly raised the stakes.
The supplemental environmental impact statement released Wednesday by the
Asked about the project during a Wednesday news briefing at the
"The president has done more than any other president on this front," she said, rejecting the emerging criticism from environmental advocates. "He continues to deliver on historic climate change action while carrying out the law and meeting our energy needs."
While the government owns the
In a separate statement, the company said it would meet the government's demands once a final decision was made.
"The three core drill sites ... provide a viable path forward for development of our leasehold," the company said in a release.
The reserve is believed to hold one of the biggest mother lodes of crude in
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