Drill Here, Drill Now: Artic National Wildlife Refuge

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.