Judge approves ConocoPhillips' road work for Arctic drilling project.

ConocoPhillips can proceed with its Willow project in the western Arctic after a federal judge denied requests for an injunction to stop the company from working during the final weeks of the winter construction season. Environmental groups and local residents filed two lawsuits last month, claiming the decision to allow ConocoPhillips to develop its leases in the National Petroleum Reserve was made contrary to environmental laws. The cases are still pending, but the judge declined to stop work on Willow, saying the plaintiffs did not convince her that the company’s winter construction plans would cause serious and irreparable harm.