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Should The United States Drill In Alaska's Wilderness Essay

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Should the United States Drill for Oil in Alaska's Wilderness? Environmentalists would say no because drilling would disturb the Inupiat’s (Eskimo) way of life. Others say drilling for oil would create jobs and lessen our dependency on foreign sources. The U.S. should not drill in Alaska because of economic reasons and environmental reasons. Some people believe that we should drill in Alaska because only 8% of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR was created in 1980 as a refuge for animals) would be used for drilling. Also, federal revenues would be enhanced by billions of dollars. Estimates for ANWR by the Office of Management and Budget and the Department of Interior for the first five years after Congressional approval are 4.2 billion …show more content…

There are many economic reasons such as drilling in the ANWR would not solve gasoline and oil supply problems and not reduce the prices of gasoline and oil. The oil supplies in the ANWR would not significantly change our energy prospects, it only has a six month supply. Also, with the amount of oil consumed as a nation it is not possible to be self-sufficient (Doc C). Also, there are many environmental reasons such as the Coastal Plain where the highest concentration of the oil has been found is home to the Inupiat. Opponents say exploration would only be in 8% of ANWR and actual drilling in 2000 acres (Doc B). However, oil is in 30 pockets and drilling would be more spread out (Doc E). One effect is the eyesore like Prudhoe Bay with pipes and smokestacks and roads. Also, wild places are disappearing. For peace of mind and preservation of animals we have to keep some places on earth pure. People already have their share of the planet. All these economic and environmental reasons make a strong case of why we shouldn't drill for oil in Alaska. Jobs and tax revenue from drilling are only short-term. Drilling in Alaska should be thought of as going to Mars, you never know what is going to happen. If something were to go wrong we could possibly destroy one of America's most beautiful

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