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 starptv23
kindchicka420
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 Administration Misleads on Alaska Drilling Claims 
#4099245 - 04/26/05 02:09 PM (18 years, 11 months ago) |
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April 26, 2005 | Back Issues
Administration Misleads on Alaska Drilling Claims
As the Bush Administration re-launches its energy plan, another attempt to drill for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) is underway. The recent narrow passage in the Senate, and an energy bill in the House, makes it all the more important to know exactly what is at stake as the ANWR battle proceeds.
The administration and its pro-drilling allies repeatedly make claims that range from dubious to downright inaccurate. The following is worth noting:
? Arctic drilling will not reduce U.S. dependence on foreign oil
Proponents say that drilling in ANWR will reduce America's dependence on imported oil (a dependence that costs taxpayers billions of dollars to station our military in oil-rich regions such as the Middle East). But the earliest any ANWR oil would reach the lower 48 states would be 10 years, and probably longer, thereby having no impact on America's current problem.
Even 20 years from now, when ANWR is expected to reach peak production, it will only supply about 3 percent of U.S. oil consumption at best.
? Energy independence can be achieved through improved energy efficiency
An increase in automobile fuel efficiency standards of 3 miles per gallon would save more than 1 million barrels a day. If U.S. standards for replacement tires were upgraded to those for new cars, it would save 7 billion barrels -- same as the most optimistic estimate for ANWR oil. [1]
? Arctic drilling will not reduce oil prices
Even at peak production, the output of oil from the refuge would be too small to affect prices. The U.S. Department of Energy's Energy Information Administration released a report last year stating that, "Assuming that world oil markets continue to work as they do today, the Organizations of Petroleum Exporting Countries could countermand any potential price impact of ANWR." [2]
According to the U.S. Geological Survey there are 3.2 billion barrels of economically recoverable oil in the coastal plain. This means that opening the Arctic Refuge to drilling would only increase global oil reserves by less than seven-tenths of one percent, meaning essentially no effect on world oil production and prices. [3]
? Not all ANWR oil is economically viable
Over 7 billion barrels of oil are technically recoverable (if money is not an issue) in the wildlife refuge. The amount that is economically viable is much lower. Another cost problem is transportation of crude oil to the lower 48 states. Western refineries will be at capacity when drilling commences in the refuge. The majority of other refineries are in Texas, meaning the oil would have to be shipped from Alaska down through the Panama Canal back up to Texas. Some experts suggest that this makes the oil more likely to be sold to Asia rather than the U.S. [4]
? Investment in renewable energy will provide more jobs
Studies by the Bureau of Labor statistics and the Congressional Research Service predict that 60,000 to 130,000 jobs would be created if the Refuge were opened for drilling. But the Tellus Institute recently reported that investment in renewable energy and improved energy efficiency would create 700,000 jobs by 2010, and 1.3 million by 2020. A World Wildlife study "America's Global Warming Solutions," states that if the proper energy policies were implemented, 900,000 jobs could be created over a 12-year period. [5]
? Environmental impact far greater than administration claims
The Bush Administration claims that new advances in technology will minimize the ecological impact of drilling, causing only a 2,000-acre "footprint."
The "footprint" includes buildings, pipelines and other related facilities-- but only where they touch ground. In fact, pipelines will cover hundreds of miles of the Refuge, and only their support posts are counted toward the 2,000-acre total. Gravel mines and roads were not counted.
And then, notes Jim Waltman of the Wilderness Society, there will be airstrips, housing, pumping stations, power plants, power lines, sewage treatment, and waste disposal needed to service the work crews.
The 2,000-acre "footprint" also overlooks seismic or other exploration activities, which degrade the arctic environment, with 64,000-pound exploratory rigs. [6] They can only travel on ice roads, whose longevity has already been reduced by half due to global warming. [7]
The U.S. Geological Survey reports that oil and gas deposits are spread throughout the wildlife refuge coastal plain in small pools and pockets, leaving the entire 1.5 million acre area open to leasing and exploration? not just a confined space of 2,000-acres. [8]
All of this, of course, poses an unpredictable threat to the herd of 120,00 porcupine caribout who migrate, forage for food, and calve in the area.
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TAKE ACTION
To take action on this issue please visit www.savethearctic.com and send an e-mail to your member of Congress.
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SOURCES:
[1] "Wasted Energy," New Yorker, Apr. 18, 2005.
[2] "Arctic Drilling Is No Energy Answer," Los Angeles Times, Apr. 3, 2005.
[3] SaveTheArctic.com.
[4] "Where Would ANWR Oil Go?" Seattle Times, Apr. 19, 2005.
[5] America's Global Warming Solution, Tellus Institute.
[6] SaveTheArctic.com op. cit.
[7] Bushwatch.org map.
[8] Wilderness Society fact sheet.
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"Six words: drop out, turn on, then come back and tune it in -and then drop out again, and turn on, and tune it back in-it's a rhythm- most of us think God made this universe in nature-subject object-predicate sentences-turn on, tune in, drop out- period, end of paragraph. Turn the page- it's all a rhythm- it's all a beat. You turn on, you find it inside, and then you have to come back (since you can't stay high all the time) and you have to build a better model. But don't get caught - don't get hooked - don't get attracted by the thing you're building, cause... you gotta drop out again. It's a cycle. Turn on, tune in, drop out. Keep it going, keep it going- the nervous system works that way. gotta keep it flowing- keep it flowing.
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 Silversoul
Rhizome
Registered: 01/01/05
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Re: Administration Misleads on Alaska Drilling Claims [Re: starptv23]
#4099301 - 04/26/05 02:21 PM (18 years, 11 months ago) |
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Holy shit! For once I actually agree with you.
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Rose
Devil's Advocate
Registered: 09/24/03
Posts: 22,518
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Last seen: 1 year, 8 months
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Re: Administration Misleads on Alaska Drilling Claims [Re: Silversoul]
#4099373 - 04/26/05 02:36 PM (18 years, 11 months ago) |
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Holy shit! And, I was there to see it!
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Fiddlesticks.
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starptv23
kindchicka420
Registered: 10/10/04
Posts: 409
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Re: Administration Misleads on Alaska Drilling Claims [Re: Rose]
#4099377 - 04/26/05 02:40 PM (18 years, 11 months ago) |
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you both make me laugh...lol...i am suprised you are with me...have a good day
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"Six words: drop out, turn on, then come back and tune it in -and then drop out again, and turn on, and tune it back in-it's a rhythm- most of us think God made this universe in nature-subject object-predicate sentences-turn on, tune in, drop out- period, end of paragraph. Turn the page- it's all a rhythm- it's all a beat. You turn on, you find it inside, and then you have to come back (since you can't stay high all the time) and you have to build a better model. But don't get caught - don't get hooked - don't get attracted by the thing you're building, cause... you gotta drop out again. It's a cycle. Turn on, tune in, drop out. Keep it going, keep it going- the nervous system works that way. gotta keep it flowing- keep it flowing.
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looner2
ABBA fan
Registered: 06/20/04
Posts: 3,849
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Re: Administration Misleads on Alaska Drilling Claims [Re: Rose]
#4099382 - 04/26/05 02:41 PM (18 years, 11 months ago) |
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It is ridiculous. Gas prices are very high right now, but its not something we can't absorb as a wealthy society. It is not even affecting the U.S consumption of gas. We need to soak up the middle eastern oil reserves as long as we possibly can, no need to dip into our supplies. 50 years from now when china and their oil-dependent button factories start to shut down because the middle east is dry, then we open up our reserves and rack in 20 bucks a gallon $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
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I am in love with Acidic_Sloth
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Psychoactive1984
PositiveCynicist
Registered: 02/06/05
Posts: 3,546
Loc: California, Monterey Coun...
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Re: Administration Misleads on Alaska Drilling Claims [Re: starptv23]
#4099383 - 04/26/05 02:41 PM (18 years, 11 months ago) |
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Some of those in the government are misleading us??
 never thought I'd hear that.
Nice article btw.
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"Their is one overriding question that concerns us all: How can we get out of the fatal groove we are in, the one that is leading towards the brink?" Albert Szent-Gyorgyi
"We may not be capable of eradicating the corruption of reason, but we must nevertheless counter it at every instance and with every means." Dan Agin
"Politics is the best religion and politicians are the worst followers."
-It's ok to trip as long as you don't fall.
-Substance over Style.
-Common sense is uncommon.
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Annapurna1
liberal pussy
Registered: 05/21/02
Posts: 5,646
Loc: innsmouth..MA
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Re: Administration Misleads on Alaska Drilling Claims [Re: starptv23]
#4099459 - 04/26/05 03:09 PM (18 years, 11 months ago) |
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the US fish & wildlife service estimates the total ANWR reserve at 10400 bbl...at the current US rate of consumption of 20.4 million bbl/day = 7446 million bbl/yr (DOE)..it will last 16 months plus 3 weeks...that doesnt sound like much..but considering that the global oil reserve has only 8 years left..timewise it amounts to an extra 1/6 of the global reserve for US consumers ..
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"anchor blocks counteract the process of pontiprobation..while omalean globes regulize the pressure"...
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Kenny7822
Kenny
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Re: Administration Misleads on Alaska Drilling Claims [Re: starptv23]
#4099519 - 04/26/05 03:28 PM (18 years, 11 months ago) |
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I don't think we should be drilling in Alaska unless it is an emergency and we absolutely need that oil. Wildlife preservation is more important, oil is used up but the land is there forever but not if we destroy it.
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Annapurna1
liberal pussy
Registered: 05/21/02
Posts: 5,646
Loc: innsmouth..MA
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Re: Administration Misleads on Alaska Drilling Claims [Re: Kenny7822]
#4099532 - 04/26/05 03:30 PM (18 years, 11 months ago) |
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i agree..and in this case..there is an impending emergency...that 16 months might be just enough for us to slither our way out of the catastrophe...however..personally i dont believe that the castrophe should necessarily be avoided...
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"anchor blocks counteract the process of pontiprobation..while omalean globes regulize the pressure"...
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snoopaloop53
No BetterFriend. NoWorse Friend.
Registered: 01/20/05
Posts: 311
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Re: Administration Misleads on Alaska Drilling Claims [Re: Annapurna1]
#4099782 - 04/26/05 05:01 PM (18 years, 11 months ago) |
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Well how about allowing for more refineries to be built so that the production of gasoline from crude oil can go up? The last one was built in Lousiana in 1976. But I doubt many of you here would support that either. You would rather just say that everything industrial is bad and try to block any kind of industry moving forward and being profitable.
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zappaisgod
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Re: Administration Misleads on Alaska Drilling Claims [Re: Annapurna1]
#4099790 - 04/26/05 05:04 PM (18 years, 11 months ago) |
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Global oil reserve has 8 years left?????? You are a very funny little girl.
I'm with Looner on this. Exploratory drilling and infrastructure only for now. When the mideast is dry then we tap our savings account. Like the first post said it will be ten years before production. As to damage in a fucking wasteland, please. There's nothing there. Remember the hue and cry about the pipeline leading to the demise of caribou? It hasn't happened. "The sky is falling, the sky is falling!"
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newuser1492
Registered: 06/12/03
Posts: 3,104
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Re: Administration Misleads on Alaska Drilling Claims [Re: zappaisgod]
#4100032 - 04/26/05 06:03 PM (18 years, 11 months ago) |
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The global oil reserve has more like 30 years left at current consumption rates. Eight years may be the point at which oil production can no longer sustain increasing demand.
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Annapurna1
liberal pussy
Registered: 05/21/02
Posts: 5,646
Loc: innsmouth..MA
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Re: Administration Misleads on Alaska Drilling Claims [Re: newuser1492]
#4100335 - 04/26/05 07:51 PM (18 years, 11 months ago) |
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no..the world wont literally run out of oil in 8 years...thats very obvious from the chart in my earlier post...what will happen in 8 years is that production will begin to plummet...ill leave it to the audience to guess what happens next...
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"anchor blocks counteract the process of pontiprobation..while omalean globes regulize the pressure"...
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