Ian Brickey, ian.brickey@sierraclub.org
ANCHORAGE, AK — This week, Indigenous and environmental groups filed additional legal motions to block a sprawling oil and gas development on Alaska’s North Slope.
Sierra Club, the Sovereign Iñupiat for a Living Arctic, and other environmental groups filed an appeal to a federal court ruling that allowed ConocoPhillips to move forward with its controversial Willow oil and gas project. The groups are also asking for an injunction that would bar ConocoPhillips from moving forward with development on the project until the case is resolved.
If it is allowed to come online, Willow would be one of the largest oil and gas drilling operations in the world and could be responsible for nearly 300 million metric tons of carbon pollution.
The public interest non-profit law firm Trustees for Alaska is representing six clients in this litigation: Sierra Club, Sovereign Iñupiat for a Living Arctic, Alaska Wilderness League, Northern Alaska Environmental Center, Environment America, and The Wilderness Society.
In response, Mike Scott, Sierra Club oil and gas campaign manager, released the following statement:
“It is clear the Willow project is a climate disaster waiting to happen. While we’re disappointed with this ruling, our legal fight is not over. We will continue to work to make sure Willow’s pumps are never turned on. The lands, wildlife, and communities of Arctic Alaska, and our global climate depend on it.”
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.