Democrat West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin joined his Republican colleagues Monday in support of President Joe Biden’s decision to approve a massive oil drilling project in Alaska, despite a number of his fellow Democrats accusing the administration of contradicting its own climate policies.
The Biden administration announced Monday that it was moving forward with approving the massive 30-year oil drilling project over objections from climate activists and Democrat lawmakers about its environmental impact.
“I welcome today’s Record of Decision (ROD) that finally reapproves the ConocoPhillips Willow Project in Alaska’s National Petroleum Reserve,” Manchin, who serves as chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, said in a statement. “This is a long awaited and critical step towards shoring up American energy security.”
The statement continued, “Responsible development of our abundant natural resources is essential if we are to maintain our status as the superpower of the world, capable of supporting our allies around the globe. While the torturous, nearly five-year process it took to get to this final approval is proof that permitting reform is needed more than ever, this is a levelheaded decision that will strengthen Alaska and our entire nation.”
Manchin added, “I will continue to work with the Administration to support common sense, energy security projects like these that create good paying jobs and maintain America’s standing on the global stage.”
SenateEnergyDemocrats tweeted Monday, “Today, Chairman @Sen_JoeManchin applauded the Biden Administration’s reapproval of the Willow Project in Alaska. ‘This is a long awaited and critical step towards shoring up American energy security.’”
Today, Chairman @Sen_JoeManchin applauded the Biden Administration’s reapproval of the Willow Project in Alaska. “This is a long awaited and critical step towards shoring up American energy security.”
Read Chairman Manchin’s full statement: https://t.co/8ZDeVASubC
— SenateEnergyDemocrats (@EnergyDems) March 13, 2023
Several other Democrats were not so happy about the project citing the environment and other climate issues that they claim will ruin Alaska.
Representative Adam Schiff wrote, “It’s a mistake to approve oil drilling in Alaska’s Willow Project. It does nothing to move the U.S. toward permanent and sustainable energy independence, and risks profound harm to the environment. We must invest in renewables, not worsen our dependence on oil.”
It’s a mistake to approve oil drilling in Alaska’s Willow Project.
It does nothing to move the U.S. toward permanent and sustainable energy independence, and risks profound harm to the environment.
We must invest in renewables, not worsen our dependence on oil.
— Adam Schiff (@RepAdamSchiff) March 14, 2023
Senator Ed Markey wrote, “.@POTUS is wrong. The approval of a massive oil development project on federal lands is a mistake we will regret for generations. The Willow project’s devastating consequences will be suffered by all of us. We must move forward not backward.”
.@POTUS is wrong. The approval of a massive oil development project on federal lands is a mistake we will regret for generations. The Willow project’s devastating consequences will be suffered by all of us. We must move forward not backward.
— Ed Markey (@SenMarkey) March 13, 2023
“These federal lands are precious parts of our environment that must be preserved not destroyed. This decision not only reverses @POTUS’s campaign promise but betrays the native people who have called for the protection of their homelands and culture—not its destruction. In 2023, we need bold executive action that centers climate justice, not digs us deeper into the fossil-fueled ways of our past. We can build a livable future—but it will take all of us.”
In 2023, we need bold executive action that centers climate justice, not digs us deeper into the fossil-fueled ways of our past. We can build a livable future—but it will take all of us.
— Ed Markey (@SenMarkey) March 13, 2023
Representative Cori Bush said, “New drilling for oil on federal lands is unacceptable. Full stop. I wholeheartedly oppose @POTUS’ decision to approve the Willow oil project and the devastating harm it will have on us all. This is a step backward in our push for climate justice.”
New drilling for oil on federal lands is unacceptable. Full stop.
I wholeheartedly oppose @POTUS’ decision to approve the Willow oil project and the devastating harm it will have on us all.
This is a step backward in our push for climate justice.
— Cori Bush (@CoriBush) March 13, 2023
Senator Martin Heinrich commented, “It’s disappointing to see Secretary Haaland and President Biden approve the ‘Willow Project’ for ConocoPhillips. The Western Arctic is one of the last great wild landscapes on the planet and as public land it belongs to every American. Industrial development in this unspoiled landscape will not age well.”
The Western Arctic is one of the last great wild landscapes on the planet and as public land it belongs to every American. Industrial development in this unspoiled landscape will not age well.
— Martin Heinrich (@MartinHeinrich) March 13, 2023
Manchin aligns with GOP on Biden oil drilling project, defends record on energy production as Democrats frethttps://t.co/l1xeNZxHFa
— @kcornock60 (@cornock60) March 14, 2023
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