Giving into constant pressure the Biden administration has approved the Willow drilling project on Alaska’s North Slope the largest on public land. The project pitted not only environmentalists against ConocoPhillips, but different indigenous tribes against each other. The ones further away support it; the ones closest oppose it.
Trying to defend the decision, various spokespersons argued that the environmental impact would be limited and pointed to a separate order protecting two areas of almost 16 million acres on Pearl Bay in the North Slope Petroleum reserve. In spite of the fact that it is a “trimmed down” version, there are many questions regarding the impact of drilling on the area, the home to dozens of animal and bird species.
Earthjustice, an environmental law firm, has vowed to take the matter to court – again. Even by the administration’s own estimates, the project would release 9.2 million metric tons of carbon pollution, equivalent to adding 2 million gas powered autos on the road, just what we need. But oil giant ConocoPhillips is happy. They certainly paid enough to win this one.
Prayer for the Day
Bearded seals in the still clean water raise their eyes to you, O God,
Hoping beyond hope that they will not die from drilling pollution;
Loons and gulls in the still clean air fly up to your heavens, Holy Creator,
Wondering where they will nest as the snow becomes dark.
Move us to stop the greed of companies, the promise of wealth,
To recognize the true wealth that lies in your varied creation.
In the name of the One who listened to the birds,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen.
Thoughts for the Day
My constituents and community will bear the burden of this project with our health and our livelihoods.
-Rosemary Ahtuangaruak, Mayor, Nuiqsut, town closest to the project
This decision greenlights 92% of proposed oil drilling (by ConocoPhllips) and hands over one the most fragile, intact ecosystems in the world to” the oil giant.
- Abigail Dillen. Earthjustice President
And God said, “Let the waters bring forth swarms of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the dome of the sky.” So God created the great sea monsters, and every living creature that moves, of every kind, with which the waters swarm, and every winged bird of every kind. And God saw that it was good.
Genesis 1: 20-21.