The Debate Over the Idea of Drilling for Oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge

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The Debate Over the Idea of Drilling for Oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge

Throughout American history, there have been a number of conflicts and

disagreements among the populace over various issues. These conflicts of interest help to

define political parties and allow people to distinguish themselves through party allegiance.

One such item that is currently being debated is over the idea of drilling for oil in the Arctic

National Wildlife Refuge. For years, environmentalist groups and oil industry supporters

have been sparring over this stretch of land. And both sides have formed some pretty

compelling arguments for their beliefs.

As of February 1, 2000, the United States has imported roughly 10.5 million of

barrels of oil a day. This translates to about 55 to 56 percent of the 19.3 million barrels

U.S. citizens consume daily. According to experts and politicians, this dependence on

foreign oil is damaging the energy industry in America as well as decreasing the amount

fluidity we have in foreign markets. And the ever increasing need for oil has only lead to

further importing. Many industries and government officials fear that if the consumption of

imported crude continues to outweighing the production of domestic, it will eventually lead

to jobs moving overseas and the flow of wealth in the energy industry, going towards

middle eastern countries.

To combat this threatening trend, many Republican oil lobbyists, who dub

themselves “the Teamsters”, have drawn together an extensive oil producing plan. The plan

calls for tapping oil and natural gas deposits in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge

(henceforth recognized as ANWR). According to the Teamsters and Alaskan senator

Frank Murkowski, dep...

... middle of paper ...

...A conflict that started between

environmentalists and oil lobbyists is steadily forming a division among Democrats and

Republicans up on Capitol Hill. At this rate, drilling in the arctic will become one of the

most memorable and controversial subjects about the Bush Presidency.

Bibliography:

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Detroit News article:

http://detnews.com/2000/politics/0010/01/politics-127682.htm

Lycos article on Norton case:

http://ens.lycos.com/ens/oct2001/2001L-10-19-06.html

ANWR.org

http://www.ANWR.org/

New York Times articles:

http://www.nytimes.com/2001/09/02/politics/02LABO.html

http://www.nytimes.com/2001/10/12/politics/12ENER.html

http://www.nytimes.com/2001/10/14/national/14ENER.html

http://www.nytimes.com/

Washington Post article:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn?pagename=article&node=&contentId=A1821

6-2001Oct18

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