GOP Targets Environmental Groups Over $9 Billion Oil Project

Article content(Bloomberg) — House Republicans have launched an investigation into six environmental organizations over their opposition to a $9 billion oil project developed by ConocoPhillips in Alaska.Sign In or Create an AccountEmail AddressContinueor View more offersArticle contentIn letters made public Friday to the Center for Biological Diversity, the Defenders of Wildlife and other conservation groups, lawmakers said they were concerned about “coordination with other activist special interest groups” as well as the use of “lawfare strategies, including ethically dubious sue and settle tactics.” Article contentWe apologize, but this video has failed to load.Try refreshing your browser, ortap here to see other videos from our team.Article contentArticle contentThe probe follows unsuccessful legal efforts to halt ConocoPhillips’ Willow project, which is expected to produce about 600 million barrels of crude over 30 years, with production set to begin in 2029.Article contentTop StoriesGet the latest headlines, breaking news and columns.There was an error, please provide a valid email address.Sign UpBy signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.Thanks for signing up!A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of Top Stories will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try againInterested in more newsletters? Browse here.Article content“Given Greenpeace’s questionable litigation strategies and the importance of Willow to Alaskan economic prosperity and American energy security, the Committee is keen to uncover the details of Greenpeace’s opposition to the project,” Representative Bruce Westerman, chairman of the House Committee on Natural Resources, wrote in the letter. Similar notices were also sent to Earthjustice, Friends of the Earth and the Natural Resources Defense Council.Article content“Throughout our litigation, and multiple court rulings in our favor, we have presented evidence that the approval of the Willow project violated bedrock laws and did not properly consider the detrimental harms to our climate, wildlife, and people’s livelihoods that will be directly impacted,” Drew Caputo, Earthjustice’s vice president of litigation for lands, wildlife, and oceans, said in an emailed statement.Article contentArticle contentFriends of the Earth and the Natural Resources Defense Council declined to comment. Conoco, Defenders of Wildlife, Greenpeace and the Center for Biological Diversity didn’t respond to a request for comment.Article contentLawmakers are seeking documents and communications between the environmental groups and several government agencies, including the Interior Department and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. They are also requesting communications between the groups and nationals from Russia, China, Iran or North Korea. Article contentA committee spokesman didn’t respond to a request for more information on why those communications were being sought. Republicans have previously accused environmental groups of accepting funds from organizations linked to the Chinese Communist Party and Russia to finance advocacy efforts that hinder domestic energy production. The organizations have denied the claims, calling them a smear campaign backed by the fossil fuel industry.Article contentTrending Posthaste: U.S. tariffs against Canada keep falling, but is that just the quiet before the CUSMA storm? News The U.S. Supreme Court ruled against Trump's tariffs. Will companies get their money back? Economy Subscriber only. Email blunder exposes US$90 billion Russian oil smuggling ring Subscriber only Financial Times Canadian stocks whipsaw after Trump tariffs struck down Economy What you need to know about filing to the CRA this year as tax season looms Personal Finance Share this article in your social networkCommentsYou must be logged in to join the discussion or read more comments.Create an AccountSign in Join the Conversation Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion. Please keep comments relevant and respectful. Comments may take up to an hour to appear on the site. You will receive an email if there is a reply to your comment, an update to a thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information. Posthaste: U.S. tariffs against Canada keep falling, but is that just the quiet before the CUSMA storm? News The U.S. Supreme Court ruled against Trump's tariffs. Will companies get their money back? Economy Subscriber only. Email blunder exposes US$90 billion Russian oil smuggling ring Subscriber only Financial Times Canadian stocks whipsaw after Trump tariffs struck down Economy What you need to know about filing to the CRA this year as tax season looms Personal Finance