U.S. District Judge Sharon Gleason threw out a request for a preliminary injunction from an environmental group challenging the Willow Project, an oil development approved by the Biden Administration for the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska.
The Sovereign Inupiat for a Living Arctic, Alaska Wilderness League, Environment America, Northern Alaska Environmental Center, Sierra Club, and The Wilderness Society have lost in their attempt to shut down progress this year on a three-mile road to the area, if ConocoPhillips proceeds with the project.
“With this decision from the federal district court, we are able to immediately begin construction activities. We appreciate the support from the intervening parties and others who recognize that Willow will provide meaningful opportunities for Alaska Native communities and the State of Alaska, and domestic energy for America,” ConocoPhillips said in a statement.
Gleason said that the balance of the equities and the public interest tip sharply against preliminary injunctive relief for the plaintiffs. Construction activities, including gravel work, are expected to begin on Willow immediately.
“This Court order validates Alaska’s high standards for the environment when it comes to oil production. It is also responsive to the unifying bilateral support demonstrated in our Alaska Legislature and from our Congressional Delegation,” said Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy. “Alaskans understand that Willow will reinvigorate the Alaska economy with jobs, billions in State and local taxes and grants to North Slope communities.”
No decision on investment has yet been made by ConocoPhillips but if Willow proceeds and produces according to projections, up to $4 billion is estimated to go into a development impact mitigation fund for grants for Alaska residents living near the development.
As many as 2,500 construction jobs and some 300 permanent jobs are projected to be created from Willow.
“It is heartening to hear that the Willow project can move forward, while we have to continue fighting this lawsuit. This will mean progress and jobs for Alaskans,” said Alaska Attorney General Treg Taylor.
The Willow Project is not a mega project by any stretch, but is the largest project in size and scale to be developed on the North Slope in more than 20 years.
In the order the Court wrote: “In this regard, the Court considers the fact that the Alaska House and Senate unanimously adopted a resolution on February 20, 2023, stating that “a further delay in approval or construction of the Willow project . . . is not in the public interest. … Alaska’s Congressional delegation has also expressed its unanimous support of the Willow Project and specifically their support for the construction activities proposed for this winter.169 In the amicus brief filed by the Alaska Congressional Delegation and Alaska State Legislature, they assert that “[i]t is uncontested that an injunction would kill many Alaskan jobs and deprive Alaskans of direct and indirect economic benefits associated with imminent development activities.” Moreover, allowing the Winter 2023 Construction Activities to proceed would be consistent with the Congressional directive to the Secretary of Interior to conduct “an expeditious program of competitive leasing of oil and gas in the” NPR-A.”
The State joined the case with defendants ConocoPhillips, the North Slope Borough, Arctic Regional Slope Corporation (ASRC), and Kuukpik Corporation. The State serves the broader interests of the residents of the state as a sovereign landowner in the development of natural resources.
Read U.S. District Court Judge Sharon Gleason’s Order at this link.
