TCH News

Issue date: 11/5/07 Section: Opinion

We all feel "pain at the pump." According to a recent CNN report, "gas prices rose a nickel during the past two weeks [early October], to an average of $2.80 per gallon of self-serve regular."

While the United States relies heavily on foreign imports of oil, there is very little dependence on drilling oil domestically, for example from Texas and neighboring states. One thing that President Bush is set on doing is getting oil from Alaska, more specifically the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (also known as the ANWR).

Drilling in Alaska is not only a poor management of time, but of money, resources, land, labor, and more factors of production. In order for something, for anything, to have a positive effect on society, it must benefit society and the way in which it functions.

Drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge will be going against set environmental protection laws and regulations. For example, the State Wildlife Policy states under Habitat Protection that "a person may not obstruct, divert, or pollute state waters, either fresh or salt…"

Also, the Wilderness Act of 1964 was established by Congress to "preserve, protect, and manage land for the use and enjoyment of the American people in such a manner that will leave the land unimpaired for future use and enjoyment as wilderness."
How will drilling in Alaska leave it unimpaired for future use, let alone remain untouched for the preservation and appreciation of the wilderness?

However, there are many people who say that drilling in the ANWR would not harm Alaska's environment. This is wrong, it will not only harm the environment, but also cost a great deal of money. There is always the risk of drilling dry holes (no oil). Dry holes do not come cheap, at least $100 million per hole. As for harming the environment, there is always the risk of another oil spill which can occur from drilling in unknown territory.

THE WASHINGTON POST even stated that there is only a 19 percent chance of actually finding oil in Alaska. The odds are not in our favor. Is this a risk we are willing to take?

During a FOX News interview, Democratic Senator Bill Nelson, of Florida, asked lawmakers to take more steps towards energy conservation, confront the oil industry, and develop alternative energy sources before another major event like Hurricane Katrina or a terror attack disrupts the world's oil market.

When the average American thinks of Alaska, he or she thinks of the deep blue ocean. A place where snow-capped mountains are kept company by the blue skies scattered with clouds; the polar bears playing with their cubs and the herds of caribou roaming along the land. What's not to love about a place so gorgeous? It is beyond our dreams, yet within our reach.

Continued...

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