It is well known that power has many corners. President Joe Biden is at a crossroads.
In the run-up to the 2024 elections, his Government is selling economic success (GDP rises, the labor market maintains its strength, there is investment, the real estate sector recovers...), but it is at the mercy of the bad inflation press, in which rising gas prices re-emerge as a threat to the pockets of ordinary citizens.
However, to the chagrin of young people and environmental activists, whom he appealed to in his campaign, the Biden Administration, in its most aggressive move yet to protect federal land from oil and gas exploration, announced which will ban drilling in 53,000 square kilometers of pristine Alaskan wilderness.
His decision, which infuriated Republicans and the fossil energy industry after the endorsement he received in the era of Donald Trump in the White House, means putting the so-called National Petroleum Reserve under protection in this remote territory This will also mean canceling the drilling leases in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge that the previous executive promoted.
The new regulation will guarantee maximum protection for practically half of this reserve.
On the other hand, this measure will not stop the Willow project of massive oil drilling in this same territory, valued at 8,000 million dollars, of the company ConocoPhillips Alaska. The forecast is that 180,000 barrels per day will be produced here.
Biden gave approval to this plan in March, which many of his voters, attracted by his environmental promises, described as a "carbon bomb". There were accusations of treason. In internal circles it was ensured that this attack of anger from a group that he considered one of his political supports took Biden by surprise.
Some critics, despite maintaining their anger, applauded the announcement of the new regulation to deal with the climate emergency, although they specified that more must be done. The litigation for the approval of the Willow project is still pending. Leaders of environmental groups indicated that this is the kind of thing young people and members of the climate movement want to see from their president.
“Alaska is home to many natural wonders and areas of cultural significance. As the climate crisis warms the Arctic more than twice as fast as the rest of the world, we have a responsibility to protect this precious region for all ages," Biden said in a statement.
The decision carries political risks. Oil prices are rising and Republicans are accusing the president of damaging America's energy independence, even as oil production is on track to break records this year.
There are also Native American groups that lamented the move. Their communities depend on drilling jobs, as well as revenue for schools and other public services.
The oil industry did not look thin with the protests. He considered it a bad precedent for future leases of federal territories.
