What is Willow? How an Alaska oil project could affect the environment.

The nation’s largest new oil project has survived an early court challenge, but could dog Biden with questions from young voters and environmentalists.

Oil pipelines stretch across the landscape outside Nuiqsut, Alaska, where ConocoPhillips operates the Alpine Field, in May 2019. (Bonnie Jo Mount/The Washington Post)
Listen
9 min

On March 13, the Biden administration approved one of the largest oil developments on federal land, a decision that came after months of intense lobbying and over objections that the project, known as Willow, would undermine U.S. efforts to phase out fossil fuels worldwide.

For weeks, this Alaskan oil development — more than 4,000 miles from the White House — has become central to the country’s debate over climate change.

It has captivated activists and young people who united online to try to block it. Alaskan leaders and some residents, on the other hand, see it was the most important federal decision facing their state and a potential economic boon.

Oil industry leaders say it is key to their future relationship with President Biden, who recently sought to defend the decision during an official visit to Canada. More recently, Interior Secretary Deb Haaland also defended the decision, saying it was “reality" that the U.S. would continue to use oil and gas. A judge on April 3 rejected an early bid to halt the project, but legal proceedings continue.

Here’s what you need to know about Willow.

Loading...
Loading...