To Drill or Not to Drill

            In the United States these days, oil is something that is very treasured.  Throughout the past decade there has been much debate over the issue of opening the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) for exploration, and ultimately oil drilling.  ANWR is a 19 million acre area of land in the Northeast corner of Alaska.  It was set aside by the government in 1960 for the wildlife of Alaska and is one of the most pristine areas in the world.  But ANWR also holds probably the biggest oil reserve in North America.  The debate has been whether or not to open it up for drilling.  The government seems to be split on this issue half and half.  In the past few years, President Bush has been pushing to drill for oil in that area, but he needs both the House of Representatives and the Senate to approval.  Regardless of the claims made by those who are opposed to the idea, drilling for oil in ANWR is more logical for many reasons, such as, very minimal affects on the wilderness, less reliance on foreign oil, and many new jobs will be created.

            Those opposed say that drilling for oil in ANWR won't decrease our reliance on imported oil.  But that really isn't true.  ANWR may contain enough oil to replace all oil imports from Saudi Arabia and Iraq.  It doesn't make sense for America to ignore the oil reserves in its borders and rely on oil-producing countries, which allies to terrorist groups.  If we have a lot of oil here in our own country, why don't we use it?  Those opposed to oil drilling in ANWR also say that with the new fuel efficient cars being made, we don't need to drill in this region.  But what is misunderstood is that the development of these cars will take many more years.  The oil in ANWR will help provide the United States with oil until those alternative sources are created.  If we need the oil now, we should look inside our own borders first to get it.

            Those opposed to the idea of drilling oil in ANWR often argue that the United States is not in need for the little oil in ANWR at this time.  They say there is too small of a supply of oil in ANWR.  The United States should at least be allowed to explore the region to actually see how much oil is there.  The only way for people to know how much oil ANWR contains is to look in that area.  It has been said that there is a “high potential for significant discoveries” in the refuge (ANWR).  It is estimated the ANWR holds more than 10 billion barrels of oil.  ANWR could produce more oil than Texas, but not too many people say that’s a little supply (ANWR oil).

            Those who say that there is little oil in ANWR also say that drilling will harm much of the wildlife in that region.  The area is one of the most undisturbed and pristine ecosystems in the world.  Many different animals exist in the ANWR such as caribou, polar bears, grizzly bears, wolves and migratory birds (Sierra Club).  Those opposed to drilling oil say that many of these animals will greatly be disturbed.  Many people believe that if oil drilling was to start in the ANWR all of the region would become interrupted.  But that is really not the case.  Sure some wildlife will be somewhat disturbed but just a very little bit.  ANWR consists of 19 million acres and only 8% of that will be considered for development called the 1002 area (Help Save), which is a small area in northern Alaska, meaning that 92% which is 17.5 million of the 19 million won't even be touched.  And furthermore, if a large amount of oil is discovered which is most likely, less than 2,000 acres of the over 1.5 million acres will actually be affected.  That averages out to less than half of one percent of ANWR that would be affected by the production of oil. (Top Ten reasons)  So the amount of land that will actually be affected by oil production is just a pinpoint in comparison to ANWR.  The answer is that only a very small fraction of ANWR will be touched.

            In accordance to the affect being very minimal, drilling oil in ANWR will create many new jobs.  Domestic production benefits the United States economy when new construction, service, manufacturing and engineering jobs are created (The ANWR).  More than 700,000 jobs are expected to be created nationwide if we drill in ANWR (ANWR).  With unemployment rates being very high recently it is important that new jobs be found.  Not all of these jobs will only be in Alaska or the west side, but many more throughout the whole country.  These jobs are very important, especially to the ¾ millions of people who will get them. 

            While the jobs being created are an important factor, the support from the citizens of Alaska is tremendous.  It is found that “more than 75% of Alaskans favor exploration and production in ANWR” (Top Ten Reasons).  Many of the people who are opposed to the idea of drilling oil live in urban settings and drive fuel efficient cars.  They usually don't know much about what they are talking about.  But those who live in Alaska have a firsthand experience with the land and the wildlife of the refuge.  If anybody, they know the most.

            With great support from the local people, the oil drilled has many other uses besides automobiles and transportation.  Many people just think that oil is only used for automobiles and transportation, but that is not the case.  Oil is used for many other things, such as soaps and detergents, paint, plastics, cloth, carpet, and many other every day things (Oil).  When we drill for oil, we aren’t just drilling for cars; we are also drilling for many other things that we all use.

            As oil is used in many other things than cars, it is a good idea to drill for oil in ANWR for many more reasons.  ANWR is the largest oil reserve in North America.  If we have it than we should use it, especially since it is needed more than ever before.  Drilling will also increase oil revenues for the state of Alaska, which is a huge benefit.  And drilling oil in ANWR could possibly lower gas prices at the pump.  Americans pay a lot of money for gas and for that price to be lowered, even by a little bit, it would be very beneficial. 

            With the many reasons that support drilling for oil in ANWR, it seems too great of an idea to pass up.  But with technology and new fuel efficient cars, many people think that it would be pointless to go ahead and drill.  But what they don't understand is that it will take many years for replacement alternatives of oil to actually be fulfilled.  We are still only in the testing stage for finding these alternatives.  So when oil is that easy to come by, we should use it.  We have never been in such a need of oil as we are now.  Drilling for oil shouldn't even be a question; it is an opportunity that we should definitely take advantage of.

By: Jordan Huttinga

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