Biden blocks other Alaska drilling before approving Willow Oil Project

[Bucky]

https://www.npr.org/2023/03/12/1163003146/alaska-drilling-protections-biden

WILMINGTON, Del. — As President Biden prepares a final decision on the huge Willow oil project in Alaska, his administration announced he will prevent or limit oil drilling in 16 million acres in Alaska and the Arctic Ocean.

Plans announced Sunday night will bar drilling in nearly 3 million acres of the Beaufort Sea — closing it off from oil exploration — and limit drilling in more than 13 million acres in a vast swath of land known as the National Petroleum Reserve - Alaska.

The moves come as regulators prepare to announce a final decision on the $8 billion Willow project, a controversial oil drilling plan pushed by ConocoPhillips in the petroleum reserve. Climate activists have rallied against the project, calling it a "carbon bomb" that would be a betrayal of Biden's campaign pledges to curb new oil and gas drilling.

Meanwhile, Alaska lawmakers, unions and indigenous communities have pressured Biden to approve the project, saying it would bring much-needed jobs and billions of dollars in taxes and mitigation funds to the vast, snow- and ice-covered region nearly 600 miles from Anchorage.

It seems like he's striking a critical balance between long term environmental concerns with immediate economic needs. This isn't perfect, but it's pragmatic.

[awesomerwb1]

1. But but but....

I won't vote Democratic because of this. Burn it all down!!!! My sister's son's best friend's cousin will not vote now!!

I knew there was more to this story than Pres. Biden simply "caving" to the oil companies.

[Bucky]

13. You took all the fun out of post #10

[W_HAMILTON]

2. And any vote not for Biden in 2024...

...is a vote for the Republican that will gladly un-bar and un-limit oil drilling in those 16 million acres.

[TxGuitar]

5. Truly.

Not voting for the D nominee is voting for the R I don't care what justifications or butt hurts a person has.

[FirstLight]

3. Is this a misleading headline?

Or is it a green light for the Willow Project? If so, I am really disappointed.

The world is burning and climate is freaking out as-is. ANY new drilling would be a death sentence for our children ...not cool

[awesomerwb1]

6. Nope, but you know what would definitely be a "death sentence"?

A Qpublican president, with a Qpublican senate, with a Qpublican House if people don't vote because of this.

[FirstLight]

9. I dodn't say anything about not voting...geez

I am just disappointed if he decides to play the bargaining game... but I guess "everyone does it" not like he sold us down the river or something... *eyeroll*

[Bucky]

14. Yeah it sucks, but

On balance it does more good than harm. In the real world, you have to settle for imperfect wins. That's just how it is in a democracy.

[Kaleva]

7. Catastrophic climate change will happen regardless

Change is taking place at a much faster pace then previously predicted and some scientists believe that we are very near the point of no return it already past it

What people can and should do is prepare to adapt to what's coming

[FirstLight]

8. yeah, I have been watching that unfold as well

I think they gave years further out so as not to cause panic...but it's still a sh*tshow.

I'm currently trying to adapt to the worst winter in the Sierras in over 30 years!

[Kaleva]

11. Years ago, I thought I'd be long dead before it got bad

Now it looks like I'll be around to see it.

[friend of a friend]

12. For years, we have been telling our grandchildren why they shouldn't have children.

We now have 13 great-grandchildren.

[Kaleva]

15. Young people may be key for survival though.

When things get tough, old people who don't have the support of younger members of a family may not make it.

[MN2theMax]

4. What I read was

that the President was relying on Sec of Interior Haaland to take the lead on this. Though I disagree with oil drilling most anywhere, I have to trust that Secretary Haaland and President Biden know what they're doing. Not going to light my hair on fire just yet.

[NickB79]

10. "It isn't perfect, but it's pragmatic"

Hopefully we can erect a monument right before climate change collapses human civilization with this inscribed upon it. Maybe somewhere on the shores of the Great Lakes, surrounded with palm trees swaying in the subtropical breezes.

Or next to the Willow sight, surrounded by majestic oaks, pines and spruces, since the permafrost will be fully thawed from 1000 ppm CO2 levels.

It is just so spot on somehow.

[Baked Potato]

16. Well, Gwarsh! This seems to be good ! Nt