United States President Joe Biden today approved the controversial Alaskan oil project known as the Willow, a decision heavily criticized by environmental groups.
The approval is part of an online Department of the Interior publication detailing the project, which will be led by oil group ConocoPhillips.
The project will be located in the Alaska National Petroleum Reserve, federal government public land, approximately 200 miles from the Arctic Circle, in a location considered one of the richest in biodiversity and one of the least explored in the United States.
For now, the Biden administration will allow ConocoPhillips to begin oil production in only three areas, despite the company asking to start drilling in two other locations, which, according to the released information, has already been delayed.
According to ConocoPhillips, the project could produce 180,000 barrels of oil per day at full capacity, create 250,000 jobs during the construction phase and another 300 permanent jobs during operation.
Dozens of environmental groups such as the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) have already criticized Biden’s decision, saying it falls short of promises to cut greenhouse gas emissions and promote clean energy.