Should the U.S. Government Authorize Open Drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge?
Other People Are Reading
-
Protecting Resources
-
While the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) contains deposits of oil, drilling can cause environmental problems and affect other resources, including wildlife and the Arctic soil. As with current sources of oil, the fuel found in ANWR is not unlimited, and drilling could quickly exhaust this last-resort oil resource, leaving it barren for the future.
Accessing Energy
-
Though the conservation of wildlife is definitely important, energy companies are confident that tools and methods exist to access the valuable oil within ANWR without causing significant damage. Utilizing oil from American land might help reduce the country's foreign energy dependence, lower oil prices and provide jobs for many workers.
-
Bottom Line
-
Experts and American citizens are split regarding the best course of action in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, and no easy answer exists to this politically charged debate. The oil found in ANWR is currently protected and remains available as an untapped resource that can be used when the time is right.
-
