The Biden Administration recently approved the Willow Project. It is an $8 billion project led by ConocoPhillips that allows oil drilling in Alaska. It would release 180,000 barrels of crude oil daily and 600 million total barrels over the next thirty years. 

     The decision is very controversial and angered many climate activists. It will destroy habitats and disrupt migration patterns putting many animals, like polar bears, at significant risk of extinction. The project would release 9.2 million metric tons of carbon emissions annually. A change.org petition to “Stop Willow” has over 4 million signatures. The project would release 9.2 million metric tons of carbon emissions annually. 

     Those opposed to the project have called President Biden hypocritical, considering he previously swore to combat climate change. In July of 2022, he said, “And when it comes to fighting the climate change … I will not take no for an answer.  I will do everything in my power to clean our air and water, protect our people’s health, to win the clean energy future.”

     Despite the controversy, many people support the project. It would decrease gas prices and dependency on foreign oil and generate taxes to provide public services. Supporters believe these positive factors balance out the environmental effects. Dan Sullivan, an Alaskan senator, said the Willow Project is “one of the biggest, most important resource development projects in our state history.”