Interior Secretary Deb Haaland is facing criticism from political allies after the Biden administration approved a contentious oil drilling project in Alaska
The closed-door meeting, which was described by two participants who insisted on not being identified because of its confidential nature, grew emotional as participants urged Haaland to oppose a project many believed Biden appeared likely to approve even as it contradicted his agenda toHaaland, who opposed Willow when she served in Congress, choked up as she explained that the Interior Department had to make difficult choices, according to the participants.
Haaland, who had not publicly commented on Willow in two years as head of the U.S. agency overseeing the project, was not involved in the announcement and did not sign the approval order, leaving that to her deputy, Tommy Beaudreau.released Monday night, 10 hours after the decision was made public, Haaland said she and Biden, both Democrats, believe the climate crisis"is the most urgent issue of our lifetime.
“As a result, we have limited decision space,'' she said, adding that officials focused on how to reduce the project’s footprint ”and minimize its impacts to people and to wildlife.'' The final approval reflects a substantially smaller project than ConocoPhillips originally proposed and includes a pledge by the Houston-based oil company to relinquish nearly 70,000 acres of leased land that will no longer be developed, she said.Haaland declined to be interviewed for this story.
“They use people of color for cover on these decisions,'' said Goldtooth, a member of Mdewakanton Dakota tribe. Haaland’s body language — at times looking away from the camera — made her appear “very uncomfortable” in the two-minute video, Goldtooth and other advocates said.Biden's expected reelection run
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Willow: Disney+ & Lucasfilm Sequel Series Not Returning for Season 2Reports are Lucasfilm & DisneyPlus' WarwickDavis & JoanneWhalley-starring Willow sequel series will not be returning for a second season.
Read more »
‘Willow’ Will Not Return for Season 2 at Disney+The “Willow” TV series is done after just one season at Disney+, Variety has confirmed. The news comes around two months after the high fantasy series aired its eighth and final episode…
Read more »
Groups Sue to Block Biden-Approved Willow Oil Project in AlaskaEnvironmental groups filed two separate lawsuits on Tuesday and Wednesday to fight the Biden administration’s decision to approve a massive fossil fuel drilling project on Alaska’s North Slope
Read more »
'Willow' Cancelled After One Season on Disney+'Willow' has been cancelled after one season on Disney+.
Read more »
Biden administration faces Willow oil project lawsuitEnvironmental organizations have filed a legal complaint against the federal government to halt a new oil drilling project in Alaska, following its approval.
Read more »
Willow Project: Why the US approved it and what that meansWith the approval, President Biden seems to have backtracked on his promise of not allowing more oil drilling. But the Ukraine invasion has changed dynamics.
Read more »