Public lands and energy news from the Center for Western Priorities

Look West: Public lands and energy news from the Center for Western Priorities


** ConocoPhillips quietly sought to expand Willow Arctic drilling project
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Tuesday, October 31, 2023
ConocoPhillips Vibroseis Truck (also called a "thumper truck"). This truck provides the source of energy for seismic surveys. Photo taken by Sarah LaMarr (BLM) ([link removed])

Earlier this month, ConocoPhillips, the company behind the massive Willow oil and gas project in the Arctic, posted a document on a federal website seeking approval to conduct seismic surveys ([link removed]) to examine oil and gas reservoirs of an area that extends beyond Willow’s boundaries.

Earthjustice, an environmental law firm that has filed a lawsuit to block the controversial drilling project, sent an email to journalists warning ([link removed]) , “Now that Willow has won approval, ConocoPhillips appears to be taking steps toward expanding its operations.” Last Thursday ConocoPhillips quietly posted a replacement document in which the sentence noting seismic tests would identify new areas ([link removed]) was removed.

“This seismic application is troublesome, particularly in light of how ConocoPhillips continually gets what it wants,” said ([link removed]) Bridget Psarianos, senior staff attorney with Trustees for Alaska, which is representing environmental groups in a second lawsuit challenging the Willow project approval. Psarianos noted that the Willow approval required the company to limit its size from what it had originally sought. However, the company “came back with a seismic application that seeks to explore those very same lands” that had been removed from Willow’s scope. “This needs to stop,” Psarianos added.

A judge is expected to rule in early November on the two lawsuits brought by environmental groups seeking to overturn the approval of the Willow project. ([link removed]) The groups argue that the Biden administration failed to adequately assess environmental impacts of the project, including how it would worsen climate change.


** Quick hits
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ConocoPhillips quietly sought to expand Willow Arctic drilling project

Inside Climate News ([link removed])

One year after designation, Camp Hale National Monument begins plans to honor Utes, WWII veterans

Colorado Sun ([link removed])

Private development inside Grand Teton National Park a possibility

High Country News ([link removed])

Is a park over I-70 making the air cleaner to breathe for nearby communities?

Colorado Public Radio ([link removed])

Federal agencies support bill banning mining around New Mexico's Pecos watershed

SourceNM ([link removed])

Interior law enforcement task force encourages more hires, better diversity

E&E News ([link removed])

White House threatens veto of House Interior-Environment spending bill

E&E News ([link removed])

Endangered Species Act protections for wolverines imminent

WyoFile ([link removed])


** Quote of the day
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” The consolidation that they’re accomplishing with their gouging proves that anything decent Big Oil has ever said about taking emissions seriously was a lie.”

—Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, E&E News ([link removed])


** Picture This
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@NatlParkService ([link removed])
Get ahead of the ‘carve’ by creating a gourd-geous park pumpkin this fall and give ‘em pumpkin to talk about. We have a variety of templates to help get you into the spirit!

View and download templates at: [link removed]… ([link removed])

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