Latest Arctic Refuge drilling bill based on misleading claims
While there’s a lot of positive change afoot in Washington, some things just never seem to change. One of those is the Alaska congressional delegation’s single-minded determination to drill in one of America’s last true wilderness areas, the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
Today, just a few weeks into the 111th Congress, Alaska Sens. Lisa Murkowski (R) and Mark Begich (D) introduced a bill that would allow so-called “directional” (or horizontal) drilling from state lands and waters adjacent to the refuge in order to reach oil that might be found under the refuge’s coastal plain.
In their press release announcing the legislation, the two Senators trot out tired — and misleading — claims about the potential of directional drilling technology, its impact on the fragile Arctic environment, and the ability of the proposal to create new jobs.
The Wilderness Society, Alaska Wilderness League, and Gwich’in Steering Committee challenged the exaggerated claims of the Murkowski-Begich bill, lamenting the emphasis on drilling the refuge instead of addressing the long-term energy and climate challenges in America’s Arctic.
“We are disappointed because we would rather work with Sens. Murkowski and Begich on a comprehensive Arctic climate and energy plan,” said Eleanor Huffines, Alaska Regional Director for The Wilderness Society.
Wilderness Experts View All >
Sam Goldman
Sam has been with The Wilderness Society since Fall 2007. He came most recently from M+R Strategic Services in Washington, DC where he worked with national environmental groups to improve their online campaign work and field organizing capacity. Before that, Sam was the Assistant National Field Director for U.S. PIRG where he covered a variety of issues including the fight to protect the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
... more
Comments
future production for non-transportation related products
I just signed the petition urging hte Obama admin to stop any new leasing in the arctic. However, I changed the text to reflect my own thoughts, as follows:
I am opposed to the lease sales proposed in the Arctic Ocean by the Minerals Management Service.
Focusing NOW on developing and marketing energy sources that do not emit greenhouse gases must be our TOP priority. And from a national security standpoint, it would be wise to leave whatever undrilled petroleum we have left in the ground, for future use. Yes, there will come a day when humans no longer find accessible petroleum reserves elsewhere on the planet. Our yet-untapped arctic holdings will remain. We can then consider drilling under the arctic, to ensure production of the myriad, non-transportation petroleum-based products that are essential.
I urge Interior Secretary Salazar and President Obama to immediately halt all activities related to these environmentally dangerous proposals. It would be wise to plan for the future!
It's a real shame that it
It's a real shame that it keeps coming up.
Fred Smilek is the acting president of the Society to Save Endangered Species. It was founded two years ago by Fred Smilek along with his two best friends Charles and Jonathan. http://www.fredjsmilek.com
Drilling in ANWR
How many times does the American citizen have to say 'NO' to this preposterous idea?? After being defeated time after time, the same old politicians keep dragging it out again, with the same misleading arguments! NO means 'NO'!! Get over it and spend your time on a productive activity, like making our country energy independent from dirty energy sources, both foreign and domestic (including both oil and coal).