Today, the U.S. senate voted to drill in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska:
The U.S. Senate voted Thursday to reject a final attempt to protect Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge from oil drilling.
Senator Maria Cantwell tried to stop plans to open up the Alaska wilderness with an amendment, but it was defeated by a vote of 51-48.
Here's an
FAQ of the issues surrounding drilling in ANWR.
Opponents argue that drilling in ANWR would disrupt the ecosystem of the last pristine piece of wilderness left in the United States. Proponents, such as the oil companies lobbying for drilling respond that recent technological advances will limit the damage. The latter's most common argument is that the proposed legislation will impact only 2000 acres of the protected area.
Misleading
This is misleading, if not outright wrong: the bill does not stipulate that the 2000 acres need to be contiguous, and does not include the damage caused by roads and other infrastructure needed to drill and transport the oil. Furthermore, the bill mandates that the first lease sale be no less than 200,000 acres.
And of course, no Bush administration endeavour would be worthy of pursuit unless oversight was suppressed (section 2203 (a) 1) leasing will take place through the Mineral Leasing Act via the Bureau of Land Management rather than through the Fish and Wildlife Service.
These are only two of the problematic areas of the bill. All in all, it's designed to suppress oversight, loosen environmental protections and suppress objections and comment by the public. It's also a measure that is immune to filibuster as it is attached to budget bill.
For more information on the weaknesses of the bill, see the CRS Report for Congress. or visit wilderness.org for a summary of the major points.
No Guarantees
The most galling aspect of this measure is that it does not do what it proposes: offer a reliable supply of oil for Americans. At best, it will be at least a decade until oil can be produced and there are no guarantees as to how much it will be.
Bad Investment
And as one would expect of this cut and spend administration, the math doesn't add up either. The US Geological Survey's most recent estimate is that drilling will yield less than 6 BBO, which amounts to a little over a year's supply. Conservation and fuel-efficient vehicles would achieve an estimated savings of 10 BBO per year. So why do it?
Remarks from House majority leader Tom DeLay, in a closed-door session of House GOP leadership, reveal the true agenda. "It's about precedent," said DeLay. He believes that opening the Arctic Refuge will turn the corner in the broader national debate over whether or not energy, timber, mining and other industries should be allowed into pristine wild areas across the country.
Folks, this is the government that gave you the Iraq war, record deficits and handouts to Halliburton. ANWR drilling will be its sweet Valentine to oil companies as it cheats the American people of one of the last wildernesses left in its borders as it turns incompetence,negligence and cronyism to an art form. This measure is the equivalent of selling a lung for a cigarette.