Alaskan Drilling in ANWR Back on the Table | The Push to Drill for Oil in Alaska a Reality

Drilling In Alaska? Senators Propose Arctic Refuge Oil Drill Again

March 20, 2008 4:25 pm Nadia Environment, In the News, Issues, Politics

Alaskan Drilling in ANWR Back On The Table
Drilling for Oil in Alaska
U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Ted Stevens reintroduced legislation to allow drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge if oil prices increased to $125 per barrel for more than five consecutive days.

The Arctic Refuge contains 10.4 billion barrels of oil, estimated the Energy Department in a recent report. It also has the potential to unveil more oil drilling prospects.

What the Senators Think About Alaskan Oil Drilling

Since oil has been hitting record highs in the last few weeks, it seems like a good time to exploit the situation. Both senators hope the high oil prices will change the minds of others who have opposed drilling in the refuge.

1.2 million acres of coastal strip have been protected from oil and energy companies alike. If it is opened, the revenues would be used by the government for alternative energy development and energy relief programs for low-income families, said Murkowski.

“There was a time when we thought we would never see those prices,” said Murkowski. “The reliance we have on foreign sources of oil, we all know, are at unhealthy levels.”

Exploring other options for oil, especially in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, is something that we may have to really look at, says Murkowski. “People are talking about what’s going on with the high price of gasoline and [energy] at home.”

How Environmentalists Feel About Drilling in the Alaskan Refuge

Environmentalists are confident that Murkowski and Stevens will be unable to get the 60 votes they need to overcome a filibuster in the Senate that would let the bill be heard. Plus, according to Sierra Club spokesman Myke Bybee, there is not much public support for drilling in Alaska. “No amount of oil and no amount of money is worth despoiling the Arctic Refuge,” said Bybee.

Cindy Shogan of the Alaska Wilderness League said environmentalists have protected the region well so far and are not about to give up. “There are millions of acres of land and water available to oil and gas leasing,” said Shogan. “They don’t need ANWR for that. This will only increase the effect of climate change.”