Lately, we have been so dependent on oil from the middle east, that we are putting many things at risk. It seems very silly to depend on oil from the middle east when that is the very place where we are waging war (Iraq to be more specific). Excuses have been made that there is no oil elsewhere, and the best place to drill is in Alaska. In that case, I would like to set a few things straight.
Recently, a huge oil discovery was made in the western gulf of Mexico by Chevron, Devon Energy, and Stat Oil. These major oil companies are ready to invest in this area which has already been opened for exploration because there has a potential of supplying at least 15 billion barrels of oil. So why then is this idea rejected and the arctic coastal plain of the arctic national wildlife refuge in Alaska suggested as the open door for oil and gas drilling, according to the National resources Defense Counsil? It is clear that 55% of Americans oppose drilling in this area, yet supporters claim that only 2000 acres would be disturbed within the 1.5 million acre plain. However, studies by US Geological show that oil isn't found in a single large reservoir. It is spread across the plain in more than 30 small deposits. This requires vast networks of roads and pipelines that would fragment habitat, disturbing and displacing the wildlife. As a result, the landscape would be defced by sewage sludge, scrap metal, garbage and more than 60 contaminated waste sites that often leak acids, lead, pesticides, fuel, solvents, and diesel fuel.
Cleanup of these waste sites has cost $20 billion in the past 15 years, and in such environments is expected to cost between 100 and 200 billion dollars. Already 1290 of these waste sites are on the national priority list. Supporters also claim that there are 16 billion barrels of oil under the coastal plain, but the actual amount to be profitably extracted and sold represents less than a year's supply ( according to US Geological Service).
Clearly we are looking for oil in the wrong place. I don't see any benefits if we drilled on the coastal plains of Alaska. So my question is, why is the debate not over when the answer is clearly before us?
I totally agree with you. I don't see why anyone would see Alaska as useful in any way for the oil industry's future. And you have a point about why we depend on the middle east for oil, when we are at war in that area. It is a very unstable situation. In time of war especially, we should drill in our nation.
Because we don't own Mexico.
"Only two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity--and I'm not so sure about the universe"
-Albert Einstein
Yeah, that's a really really really good point. I wonder why I didn't realize that simple answer before I wrote this blog?
Can someone show me another side to this? I am not so sure. Is getting oil from the middle east really that bad?
...because we own alaska, we don't own mexico.. as soon as they get mad at us for something we'd be in the same boat as we are in now.. america needs to become more self dependent and stop relying so much on outside supply.
That's an interesting way to look at it. Are you saying that we should continue on this dangerous relationship in the middle east, because you never know what Mexico might get mad at? Lets continue trashing Alaska?
In any case, drilling in Mexico is much better because we are not at war with them.
Well I like your veiw point and it might have merit...dont do it in alaska because of OUR wildlife preserve... dont do it Mexico because if anything goes wrong, that would be OUR coast messed up...lets just keep drilling up the middle east because they are war torn anyway and have no wild life
Please I wish America and Americans could afford to be self dependent but I think we are a bit to selfish for that. Not that this makes any sense.
all truths are easy to understand once discovered; the point is to discover them ~galileo
NO, it doesn't really make sense. I don't understand how Americans are too selfish to be self dependent. That comment doesn't make sense. sorry.
Why not just come-up with alternative fuel? I mean seriously we have cell phones that are computers, music players, navigation devices, camera, and of course a phone.. all in one. It's not like we don't have the ability to do it.
So very true, Milia.
"Half of what I say is meaningless; but I say it so that the other half may reach you." - Kahlil Gibran
"If knowledge can create problems, it is not through ignorance that we can solve them." Isaac Asimov
What do you mean alternative fuel? What other options are there? I mean, we have hybrids and oil and that is pretty much it.
Currently there is a bill: 'Udall-Eisenhower Wilderness Refuge Act' that Rep. Edward Markey has sponsored in the house to protect the Artic plain from oil drilling.
Personally, I believe it is extremely important that a bill like this passes to protect the ecosystem in Alaska from profit hungry oil companies.
The amount of oil that the Artic plain contains is not enough to resolve the United State's dependence on oil.
The only long-term solution I see is further development of alternative fuel. Unfortunately the U.S. government is too busy throwing money into a losing war rather than research that can permanently change our future for the better.
And what exactly is wrong with "power hungry companies"? If they drill there, that means more jobs in the corporation which means less unemployment rates which means more consummer spending which means higher economy WHICH IS GOOD FOR YOU!
I think it is the people that are a problem as much if not more then the government. Oil buisness is a big big big...big industry and to switch for some thing else would be detrimental to the whole world. OR they are lazy and comfy with oil and none of the other options have taken on as big as oil based things. There is the corn oil option and electric options..t he flinstone option ...but no one cares it is easier and quicker and so forth to just fill out and go then to have to wait for charging or deal with maintenance or take the time to just walk.
In the long run we have to learn to work together and for ourselves in stead of running to the government ( or blaming them). We were founded on the need to run our own lives and limit the goverment and some how we became dependant on the one thing we were against....go figure
all truths are easy to understand once discovered; the point is to discover them ~galileo
"In the long run we have to learn to work together and for ourselves in stead of running to the government ( or blaming them)"
You are so right. A house divided can not stand. Also, what is the flintstone method?
why destroy any land for something as crude as oil. why not change the way we destroy and degrade the earth that sustains us? why not change the way we think, behave, and live on this earth?
~Native Pride~
Because we are humans and we don't care. We only live for the moment.
i don't like the idea of drilling for oil in alaska, mexico, or the middle east. drilling for oil in alaska would damage our wetland, and if you don't think that it will affect us, you would be surprise, the middle east is extremely unstable, so we need to get out of there, and mexico economy is not going so well, beside, if we drill in the gulf, it would also devasted wild life.
what i think we should do is become like brazel, they some how got themself off of oil, and is now energy independent. i think that instead of spending money for oil in the middle east or destroying our earth or giving the oil industries tax cut, we should reinvest in energy independence, give or lower the tax on hybrid, pass a green tax, where if anyone live a 100 green lifestyle or their buisness go 100 green, than they can get a tax break.
not only that, we should try to increase consumption for hybrid, and do study for hydrogen car along with electricity.
I didn't know that Brazil got themselves off of oil. How did they do that?