Can't we all support this now?

Question

After the events of the last few years, increasing tensions all over the Middle East, Venezuela threatening to hike up their oil prices, and continued complaints over our reliance on foreign oil, why are we STILL not drilling in ANWR?

The reasons for not drilling in the first place weren't ever properly clarified or supported. Was it the wildlife? That doesn't make much sense, considering that previous pipelines actually increased animal populations (as they congregate around the warm pipes and thus mate more frequently). Was it not worth the effort for what we can extract? Then why are our companies the ones the Russians are hiring to drill their oil in arctic environments?

Isn't it hypocritical to keep banging the 'foreign oil' drum while we still refuse to take even the most remedial steps to alleviate the problem?

Answer 1

You are right, the U.S. clearly has the oil - conservative estimates put about 100 years worth of untapped reserves within U.S. territory. However, I believe we shouldn't drill (yet). Think about it, we will have much more power if we are "the last man standing." Let Canada, Mexico, the middle east, Venezuela, and all have a good laugh - it's easy to do when you know we will be laughing last.

Answer 2

We don't drill in ANWR because it wouldn't be cost beneficial. It would cost more money to drill there than would make in profits because there isn't enough oil there to last us a couple of years. And, it would take over 5 years to get the oil to the market. If it would be profitable, the GOP would have jumped all over it when they had the congress and senate prior to November 2006. Commercial viability of a discovery depends on oil price, accumulation size, recovery technology, and proximity to existing infrastructure (pipelines, etc.). The only time it would be remotely profitable for the oil corporations to drill is if the cost of oil reaches over $150 a barrel. Hold on, it may get there and then we can get your precious out of the hole in the ground.

Answer 3

Well, the real reason we're not drilling in ANWR is that the upper-middle class university graduates driving Volvos and wearing Birkenstocks don't want to see it happen.

You see, they live on a fantasy world in a parallel universe and on that world everything is pristine and perfect. No one and no thing ever dies, nothing is changed, and nothing happens - nada, zipola, fuhgeddaboudit.

Now, some of 'em realize that they're in the real world and that distresses 'em greatly. Their response is to try to create their fantasy world here on Earth. So, when it comes to ANWR, nothing should ever happen there - at least not at the hands of the hated humans. Not unless a few Birkenstock-wearing folks wearing their Eddie Bauer outdoor gear want to go up there and walk around telling themselves how swell they are that nothing has changed.

You know what your problem is? You're stuck in reality. The morons against drilling in ANWR will never, ever agree to it - even when it conflicts directly with their stated desire to become "energy independent". Gee, I wonder why they talk about engergy "independence" when they don't want this country to be independent in so many other ways: UN, World Court, etc., etc. These weak sisters should be rounded up and moved to Northern Alaska so they can enjoy nature at its finest - year 'round!

And, as you've so rightly pointed out, it ain't about the wildlife! That was a typical fraud from that crowd. They've subscribed for decades to the old "Show 'em what you want 'em to see in your right hand while your left hand does just as you damn well please." When they say wildlife what they mean is no change; the fact that change has enhanced wildlife means nothing to them - if it's happened at the hand of man then it is by definition a bad thing. Really, maybe instead of Northern Alaska these over-educated wackjobs should just be locked up in mental asylums. After all, I hope to take a cruise to Alaska someday and I don't want all the granola-eaters up there telling the cruise companies to bug off.

There, I definitely feel better having gotten that off my chest.

Answer 4

Foreign oil is actually a 'good thing'. As long as other countries are willing to sell to us at an affordable price, then lets let our oil sit in the ground, where it is safe and there if and when it is needed. Why should we tear up our environment and exhaust our supply when we can get it elsewhere?

One day we may need to. And there will certainly be pain if we lose our existing supply too suddenly, but that pain will short lived - a couple of years.

Answer 5

Absolutely not. The reason we are dependant on foreign oilis that the neoconservatives have done the bidding of the oil companies instead of safegurarding the interests of the United States.

Examples:
>in the 1980s the Reagan administration dismantled the enrgy conservation programs put in place by Carter. These were not 'Taxes" or bureauccratic rules--they were tax incentives that encouraged homeowners and businesses to invest in energy efficiency.
>For 25 YEARS thhere has been zero improvement in car mileage--despite the fact thqat the technology to double average gas mileage (thereby cutting our use of gasoline nationally IN HALF)-and the right wing in Congress is right now trying to block revised regulations to that end.

Etc, etc., etc.

And--in case you didn't notice--we need to STOP using so much oil, coal,etc. because of the CO2 emissions.

We DO NOT need more drilling--we need responsible policies in Washington to start reducing our oil use.

Fortunately for the welfare of our country, the right wing is no longer in charge-so we can start taking care of our country instead of the oil companies.

Answer 6

For one thing, its not as cost effective to drill in ANWR. In the middle east it takes 5 psi of pressure to get the oil out of the ground. It takes 30 psi to get it out in ANWR. Therefore the oil that comes out of ANWR will be more expensive than the oil brought from across the sea. I think we should have more ethanol blends available at the gas stations. Think about how much oil we would save if we mandated just a 5% blend.

Answer 7

If we don't need to depend at all on oil that question is moot. I suggest we put all of our human energy, skills and knowledge into developing alternatives to oil for our energy needs. We are on the cusp of many great discoveries and inventions. Americans have done it many times before and can do it again.

Answer 8

I'm all for drilling in Alaska but I would also love to explore alternative to oil and gasoline so we can tell the Middle east and Venezuela to go pound salt with their worthless black liquid.

Answer 9

I'd rather get alternate energy sources, and eliminate dependence on foreign oil altogether.

If we drill it, it will be gone.

Answer 10

Well I think the majority of people would support it but its the senators and congressman that don't and its not a near term solution anyway but we should get started!!!