Democrats push for Alaska drilling ban

[Kolesar]

Democrats push for Alaska drilling ban
By H. JOSEF HEBERT The Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — Opponents of oil drilling in an Alaskan wildlife refuge are going on the offense after playing defense for a quarter of a century. They want the new Democratic Congress to make an oft-challenged drilling ban permanent.

Legislation introduced in the House on Friday would make the oil-rich 1.2 million-acre coastal strip of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge a permanently protected wilderness and end repeated efforts to open the area east of the Prudhoe oil field to energy companies.
The coastal strip of ANWR, as the refuge is commonly referred to, is believed to contain 10.5 billion barrels of oil, approaching the size of the Prudhoe Bay field to the west. At peak production the refuge could supply 1 million barrels a day by 2025, according to the Interior Department.
...snip...
On the other hand, to environmentalists and conservationists the refuge's coastal strip represents the ultimate wild place to be protected. They compare it to the Serengeti in Africa because of the wildlife that abound: polar bears, musk oxen, caribou and millions of migratory birds that fly there as part of their annual migration.

Drilling proponents argue that modern technology can limit the footprint on the coastal tundra and develop the oil without disturbing the wildlife.

Bush, who called for opening the refuge during his 2000 presidential campaign, repeatedly has said its environment can be protected alongside oil rigs. He views the refuge's oil as essential to lessening America's dependence on foreign energy sources.

Markey disagrees. "Our addiction to oil is real (but) drilling in the refuge would amount to a declaration that we remain in denial about this addiction," he said. "There are some places in our world that are so rare and so special, that we have a responsibility to protect them."
http://www.cleveland.com/newsflash/washington/index.ssf?/base/politics-11/116803434169610.xml&storylist=washington

[northofdenali]

1. I still get pissed off about ANWR being a "worthless wilderness"

worth nothing more than it's oil reserves. I've been there and I guarantee it is a near-holy experience. I.e.:


Polar bears,


Musk Ox


Caribou


(Thanks for the above photo, Accentalaska.com)


Sandpiper

Millions upon millions of birds, grizzly and black bear - some "empty worthless wilderness", hmm? Fuck the oil companies - let's find alternatives instead. I still hate what Exxon/Mobile/BP/Conoco and the rest have done to this state.

[Dean Martin]

2. I hope they succeed

Why do we have to destroy every frikkin thing on the planet? Leave the AWR the hell alone.

[northofdenali]

3. Agreed. This is one of the most seriously pure areas left -

Welcome to DU, Dean :hi:

[XemaSab]

4. Not *just* a sandpiper

A buff-breasted sandpiper. One of the few north american shorebirds I have not seen. :P

[JudyM]

5. Excellent! Gotta love these right outta the gate efforts by our Dems.

We need a happy sigh smiley... but I'll settle for this one

:headbang:

[Dean Martin]

6. Thanks

Thanks for the welcome. I'm doing what I can to try to slow down the war mongers and earth destroyers.