US House Republicans have recently launched an investigation into six environmental organizations, stemming from these groups' opposition to ConocoPhillips' $9 billion Willow oil project in Alaska.
In a public letter, the lawmakers expressed concern that these environmental groups collaborated with other activist organizations and employed legal strategies including lawsuits and settlements. The investigation follows failed legal attempts to block the Willow project, which is scheduled to begin production in 2029 and is expected to yield approximately 600 million barrels of crude oil over the next 30 years.
House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Bruce Westerman wrote in the letter: "Given the importance of the Willow project to Alaska's economic prosperity and U.S. energy security, the Committee seeks to understand the specifics of the environmental groups' opposition to the project." Similar notices have been sent to organizations such as Earthjustice, Friends of the Earth, and the Natural Resources Defense Council.
Drew Caputo, Vice President of Litigation for Lands, Wildlife, and Oceans at Earthjustice, stated in a declaration: "We presented evidence in our litigation that the approval of the Willow project violated the law and failed to adequately consider potential harm to the climate, wildlife, and people's livelihoods." Friends of the Earth expressed a similar view.
The Center for Biological Diversity wrote in response: "We will continue to use free speech and environmental laws to protect the Arctic and America's public lands." The Natural Resources Defense Council declined to comment, while ConocoPhillips, Defenders of Wildlife, and Greenpeace did not respond to requests for comment.
The lawmakers have requested the environmental groups to provide documents related to communications with multiple government agencies and specific foreign nationals. A committee spokesperson did not explain why this information is being sought. Previously, Republicans have accused environmental groups of accepting external funding to hinder domestic energy production, but these organizations have denied the allegations.
In a statement, the top Democrat on the Natural Resources Committee, Jared Huffman, criticized the investigation, saying it targets those who challenge government policies. The entire incident highlights the ongoing controversy between environmental organizations and energy projects.
