The United States currently imports 52% of its oil. Energy Information Administration predicts that this figure will increase to 64% by 2020 if domestic supplies do not increase.
In favor of drilling in ANWR:.
Only a tiny amount of the section proposed for exploration would actually be involved in drilling. Exploration and production would only affect about 2,000 acres, 0.01% of the 19.5 million acres of ANWR. 17.5 million acres of ANWR lie in the protected enclave that cannot be developed.
The area potentially could produce 1.5 million barrels of oil per day for at least a quarter of a century, thereby increasing domestic production by almost 25%. Studies by the U.S. Geological Survey estimate that drilling the ANWR could yield up to 16 billion barrels of oil - an amount roughly equal to 30 years of oil imports from Saudi Arabia.
Allowing limited drilling in ANWR also would reduce the trade deficit by about $14 billion per year. Federal revenues from lease sales would be $1.3 billion over the next 7 years, helping to trim the budget deficit.
222,000 - 732,000 jobs will be created throughout the country, with fully 98% of these jobs in the lower 48 states.
There is a very limited impact of modern drilling and production techniques.
The Inupiat Eskimos, who live in or near the Coastal Plain and opposed oil drilling in Prudhoe Bay 60 miles away, support onshore oil development in the area.
The magnificent mountains, beautiful lakes, and precious wildlife will not be disturbed. Since drilling began in the nearby oil fields of Prudhoe Bay 20 years ago, the Arctic caribou heard has grown from 3,000 to 27,500. America has the technology to extract it in a clean, efficient manner that leaves the land largely as it was found.
Opposed to drilling in ANWR:.
ANWR is a thriving, active laboratory and museum of natural history. There are forests and arctic tundra that are important to our ecosystems, and the ecosystems of other nations.
