As our presidential election looms ahead, the debate over drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge seems to be pushed to the forefront. Senator Palin's stance on drilling has shouts of “Drill Now” to resonate throughout the Republican Convention as well as during town hall meetings held throughout the United States. The debate over drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) has extended for more than forty years. Certain politicians such as John McCain, Senator Palin, Congressman Don Young, and U.S. Representative Michele Bachmann all agree drilling here and drilling NOW is in the best interest of our country. Furthermore, according to Arctic Power, 75% of the Alaskan Population also support the drilling of oil in the ANWR.
Industry leaders argue that below the surface of the frozen tundra lies billions of barrels of crude oil that could be removed in an environmentally safe manner. Furthermore, by our increasing domesticate oil supply, we would be able to reduce our dependence on imports. On the other side of the argument, is the environmentalist who say any attempt at removing the oil would endanger the wildlife and vegetation of the land. Although both sides of the debate presents overwhelming evidence to reinforce their stance, I cannot overlook the fact that America has an oil crisis that needs to be addressed. If the ANWR offers a solution to the oil crisis, then we must find a way to access the available oil while causing minimal damage to the wildlife and vegetation of the area..
In understanding this debate, one must first understand the history of the land and its resources. Alaska is a state that is rich in oil, natural gas, and petroleum. However, the history of past oil companies has shown that the removal of these resources can potentially destroy the land with dangerous toxins and pollutants. Because of this history, the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA), adopted by Congress in 1980, named a majority of the refuge a protected wilderness that is managed by the Alaskan Fish and Wildlife, and cannot be opened for exploration and drilling for oil. Under the act of 1980 Section 1002 declared that the coastal plains area of the ANWR would be subdivided from the ANWR and titled 1002 Area. The coastal plains included 1.2 million acres. Congress reserved the right to do future exploration and drilling on this one section. During the last twenty years, Congress has attempted to exercise this right; however, the only approved actions were in the winters of 1984 and 1985. Using two dimensional (2-D) imagery, an enormous amount of oil and natural gas was discovered below the surface of the land. According to the report issued to Congress in 1987 by the Department of Interior, 1002 Area has potentially the largest deposits of oil in North America. U.S. has never acted on the findings.
During the past years the United States has ignored the findings of the U. S. Geological Survey (USGS), and allowed the United States to become dependent on exports from foreign countries . . . as much as 65% of our petroleum is imported from foreign countries. Thus, allowing this nation to continue under an energy crisis for more than two decades. New technology creates more protection for the environment. USGS acknowledged in the supplemental report written in 1998 that improved technology not only allows us to yield more oil, but also will provide protection for the environment. Since completion of the report of 1987, numerous wells have been drilled and oil fields discovered near the refuge. New geologic and geophysical data have become available. Technology has become more efficient in locating deposits of oil, reducing the damages caused to the environment upon extraction. With this new technology, the United States can now exercise the right to remove the oil from the 1002 Area and offer minimal damage to the land. Congress now proposes to begin explorations, development, and drilling of the reserves.
The actual removal will encompass only 2000 surface acres of the 19 million acres available in the refuge. Many people refer to the ANWR as Americas Serengeti , which means Americas last true wilderness. Anti drillers often present a magnificent view of the area taken during the summer months reflecting hills of lush green vegetation and herds of porcupine caribous. However, the truth is the area proposed to explore is a barren area with no trees and sparse vegetation. The region has nine months of winter with temperatures that sometimes plunge to sixty below zero, and the 19 million acres which is the ANWR, remains a frozen tundra until spring. The porcupine caribou cross some portions of the 1002 Area during the spring as they migrate to the grassy lands for calving. The vegetation that grows in the summer months is an extremely fragile growth and can be destroyed by walking over it. The ground remains wet and swampy as the spring temperatures melts the ice, and mosquitos cover the area. This region is no more than a wasteland and it is shielding us from our much needed resource.
