Links Post

Over the course of this blog, I've discovered several helpful websites that you should go to and further your knowledge of the off-shore drilling debate in the United States. Take a break from studying and check out these sites!
1. The New York Times- The New York Times have dedicated an entire topic to oil spills in the US. Almost daily you can find new articles on the debate, updates on the Deepwater Horizon spill, and news about the Alaskan oil front.
2. CNN- I used CNN as a news source while writing this blog. They also feature news stories weekly on the oil crisis.
3. ANWR- This is a government site on the Alaska National Wildlife Reserve and gives the statistical figures on the possible oil reserves there.
4. The Oil Drum- This is a blog on the off shore drilling debate in the United States. I found it extremely helpful as it pertains to political and economical aspects of the matter.
5. The Oil Spill Blog- This site is not quite as reliable as the other government and news sites, however it still educates and is up to date on the Deepwater Horizon spill.
6. Foreign Policy- This is an American magazine covering global politics and economics. It contains a lot of information on America's reliance on other countries for oil.
7. Energy Blog- This is a free-market energy blog that sometimes posts about the oil dependency in America. I find it very interesting to read about wind and solar power sources currently being developed.

The time to act is now

I know that you all have become dedicated readers to this blog over the last month, and as this project dwindles down I hope you all have grasped the message I am delivering: OFF SHORE DRILLING IS NOT THE ANSWER!!!!!. Unfortunately, we live in a country that is completely dependent on oil and it is not a reality to believe that our country could exist without US oil wells. Every industry in the United States relies on oil as an integral part of production. For example, did you know that it takes three quarters of a gallon to produce one pound of beef? I find this fact shocking, and just another reason why the time to act is now. And with the recent Deepwater Horizon spill plaguing the Gulf Coast, the time to act is NOW. We simply cannot continue building new oil rigs with the lax regulations and guidelines that have been enough in the past.

Furthermore, currently oil is plentiful and abundant in various regions that could lead to better US prices. However, are we willing to destroy the environment to get these resources? Not to mention, putting the time and money into exploring these regions will only delay alternative fuels in America from becoming a reality. The arctic region, specifically Alaska, has been under pressure to search for new oil fields. This national geographic blog by a nature photographer captures why this cannot happen in her photographs that speak a thousand words. Look at the animals, and think of them singing the Beatles song below when you vote this November.

The Beatles - Don't Let Me Down

Shoutout to my classmate's blogs

During this project, I have become a dedicated follower of several of my classmate's blogs. Before the project, I had no idea that algae had benefits and believed illegal immigration was just that, illegal. However, reading the biweekly postings on the debates has not only informed me, but changed my opinions as well.

 In the blog "Home Is Where the Blog Is", the always humorous B. McBlogger writes writes about the current housing crisis facing our great nation. I'll admit, prior to this blog I gave little thought or care to the housing crisis. My house wasn't going anywhere so it didn't really affect me, plus I often got lost in the jargon. However, this blog presents the eye opening information in a way that's easy to understand. I feel more informed about the housing crisis as well as mortgage processes. You should check it out, check it out, check it out, check it out.

In the blog appropriately entitled "America was in a recession, but then they got high," the puns don't stop with the title. I've thoroughly enjoyed reading this blog, not only because of the puns but because of the information I've learned. I've always been for the legalization of marijuana, however I had few reasons to support it other than the fact that it would be fun. All jokes aside, this blog is well researched and presented in a great format that flows easily. The tone from the anonymous blogger is perfect, and I hope you'll enjoy this blog as much as I have.

In the blog "Rights for All", Elaine discusses the civil rights of homosexuals in the United States. While homosexuals in the United States have it much better than other places in the world, it's still blasphemy to deny basic rights to them. They are no different than you or me, yet our current laws treat them like another species. I do not see why any differences should be made for anyone, regarding their race or sexual preference. This blog is well researched, and unbiased. I recommend this blog to anyone on either side of the debate.

Mental Health Break!

It doesn't matter what your political views are or what you thought of his presidency, George W. is a funny guy! Enjoy and Happy Fall Break

The Day After Tomorrow...

                 It is likely that the offshore drilling debate in the US will remain unresolved for years to come. In my last posting, I presented a resolution for off-shore drilling that would keep the oil companies happy and the environmentalists. However, even this plan contains some possible implications. By regulating drilling and enforcing more rules, the federal government could help make the process much safer for the workers and the environment. I also stated that the US should begin investing money into alternative energy sources instead of building new wells. These actions will require a lot of money, and will be governmentally funded leading to disagreements from citizens. Completing all of these regulations and updating wells to the new guidelines will take time, and oil will not be produced. This could lead to immediate gasoline price jumps.

                In the wake of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, the first implication that comes to mind is another oil spill. The Gulf waters and the ecozones and animals that inhabit them have been severely affected by the last oil spill, and another could ruin any ecological diversity and attractions the region has to offer. The next implication that could arise if regulations are not enforced on offshore drilling is the effect it will have on other nations. Currently, the United States has a good trade balance because of the amount of oil imported from the Middle East. However, if we no longer relied on the Middle East a trade deficit could arise.

Imagine

Unfortunately, it is unrealistic to believe that our country will ever be able to survive if off-shore drilling is banned. We are far too dependent on oil in our everyday lives to solely rely on the war-torn Middle East to provide for us. For this reason, our country must work towards stabilizing and regulating the off-shore drilling industry in order to prevent future spills, and get the most out of our oil. Unfortunately, the lax regulations by the Bush and Obama administrations contributed to the Deepwater Horizon spill back in April. The Deepwater Horizon well had documented problems with its blowout preventer and several warnings and red flags had already been raised but, because of the lack of inspection and regulation, nothing was done.

A six-month moratorium on off-shore drilling was put into effect by President Obama shortly after the spill. For this reason, drilling as well as oil exploration has been halted. Soon though, the ban will end and the drilling will continue. However, this time the industry will be different. The scars remaining from the April disaster are not enough; strict government regulations need to be enforced. When drilling returns, no new drills should be built. However, improvements need to made to all existing wells in order to prevent any future disasters. While we cannot live without oil, I believe we need to start investing our money into alternative energy research. Our focus needs to be redirected from the oil past and into the alternative energy sources of tomorrow.

Listen to amberzees Playlist

Extreme Oil Drilling

Here's the video associated with the post directly below. Enjoy!

The War on ANWR

                As I have previously posted, I will be including the Alaskan National Wildlife Refuge in the focus of this blog. The American public knows little about this issue, unlike the Gulf Coast controversy. In Alaska, oil production is a key part of the economy. Several oil companies have wells around the state and off the coasts. However, these hundreds of other wells are apparently not enough as it has been proposed and debated for some time to build a well in the Alaskan National Wildlife Refuge.

                The ANWR is made up of 19,000,000 acres of land in the Northwestern corner of the state. For years this region has been set aside as a haven for animals and nature lovers, however, a proposed oil well could change all of this. Area 1002 is the proposed area for drilling, and represents less than 2,000 acres. That is less than ten percent of the entire refuge, therefore you may ask, why not drill? Well, in my opinion allowing drilling in this area will only lead to more drilling in other areas as oil exploration has not been completed throughout the entire refuge and mass amounts of oil could be available.

                Several people are in favor of drilling in the ANWR to reduce gasoline prices, however, as I’ve stressed in my other posts, this will not happen…EVER. Drilling in ANWR would only produce .4-1.2% of the gasoline and oil that the world consumes by 2030. Here is a video on the dangers and realities of drilling in the Alaskan region

Moratorium Lifted, No Lessons Learned

               

    Only one day after posting an analysis of the entire off-shore drilling debate in the United States, the moratorium put into effect last spring by President Obama regarding the Gulf Coast has been lifted nearly a month in advance.  This executive move came after months of heavy pressure and criticism from the Gulf region and the oil industries. The moratorium not only quieted the thirty-three oil wells, but it also substantially hurt the surrounding community because of integrating professions. For example, the helicopters used to transport workers to the rigs, and the catering companies that fed the workers have also been out of work since the ban went into effect.

                While the moratorium has been lifted, it will likely be months before drilling begins again. The government has placed new restrictions and guidelines for new drilling permits. These rules address where oil can be drilled, and safety measures each rig must have in place. These rules are new and the oil industry will need awhile to adjust and understand them. Before the Deepwater Horizon spill, an average of 10-14 drilling permits were issued each month. However, since the moratorium was put into effect, only 12 have been issued.

                The BP oil spill was catastrophic for the Gulf Region and has changed the oil industry forever. The government has decided to take more risks and allow off-shore drilling despite what has happened in the past. Hopefully though, even if the government did not learn from the Deepwater Horizon spill, other oil companies did and they will take more precautions.

Analysis on the Off-Shore Drilling Debate

                 Recently our nation has endured many tough months filled with an economic depression, a poor job market, and a never ending war in the Middle East. To top it all off, the largest oil spill in American history occurred April 20, 2010 creating mass havoc in the Gulf Coast region and only worsened our country’s problems. Since this event, the off-shore drilling debate has become an issue of national attention. Prior to this event, the majority of Americans were pro off-shore drilling. Since the oil began to flow though, more people have become against off shore drilling. However, our problems remain and off-shore drilling would help create jobs, supply American oil, and improve the economy. Should we gamble our environments and tourism industry, the stables for many coastal communities, and drill into our waters to find that ever sought after black gold?

                The first advantage many people relate to US offshore drilling is gaining energy independence. It is no secret that for years we have imported the majority of the oil we consume. We rely on the Middle East for the crude oil that our everyday lives demand. For this reason, we must live in fear that something like the 1973 oil crisis, which occurred after an embargo was put in place due to disagreement with American foreign policy, could happen again. Our dependence has only grown as our societies have progressed, yet no more oil is being produced. In order to fill our daily oil consumption, we would need to begin producing 20 million barrels a day. At the peak of US oil drilling, before the moratorium was put in place after the 1969 oil spill, only 10 million barrels were being produced. Nowadays, about six million barrels are being produced which is well short of our need.

                The next issue of off-shore drilling hits very close with most Americans. Unfortunately, we are a nation that depends on cars for transportation and many of these cars are not fuel-efficient. In the midst of this economic downturn, families are struggling to get food on their tables, let alone fill up the tank of their SUV. Gasoline prices are sky-rocketing to astronomical rates while we have no choice but to pay because we are completely dependent. Using American oil instead of importing from the conflict in the Middle East would no doubt lower prices.There are known to be 18 billion barrels of oil beneath the waters restricted in the moratorium.  Another eighty-five percent of the restricted waters have yet to be explored and could be holding hundreds of millions more. However, it is not realistic to believe that implementing off-shore drilling would have an effect on today’s gas prices. During the 2008 elections, Republican candidate John McCain used lower gas prices as a way to gain supporters of off-shore drilling. However, what was not being told to the American public was that if we begin drilling off-shore today and build the necessary number of oil wells to fit our demands, there will not be a significant impact on oil prices until at least 2030. By then, the world will be consuming up to 25 million more barrels of oil per day which will increase prices even more.

                There is no doubt our country is in an economic rut and we need all the help we can get. Is off-shore drilling the answer to our problems? Since the Deepwater Horizon spill in April 2010, the Gulf Coast region’s economy has been destroyed.  Previously a region with a booming economy consisting of oil, tourism, fishing, and NASA; now the area is struggling to recover. The fishing industry has been hurting after the oil spill depleted the populations and the tourism industry has been suffering because no one wants to go to a beach full of tar balls. This means that while the cleanup has been going on, the thousands of people who worked on those oil rigs have been out of work. Other professions in the community are suffering just as much as people leave the region in search of a better economy. By ending the moratorium on drilling in the Gulf Coast, thousands of jobs would be restored to the region along with additional oil and taxpayer revenues. However, the Deepwater Horizon spill hit the area as hard as Hurricane Katrina did in 2005. The region will likely be facing effects from the drilling for several years. For this reason, the area is scarred from the six month long ordeal following the Deepwater Horizon spill.  The region has been fighting the frustrating moratorium. New federal guidelines have been put in place in order to avoid future oil spills, but for now no drilling will take place.

                Unfortunately, something many people don’t think about as they fill up their tanks at their local gas stations is the environment that is ruined in order to get the oil and gas. Since the 1969 Santa Barbara oil spill, a moratorium has been in place for the East and West Coast. The Gulf Coast on the other hand, has been reaping the benefits of oil drilling with little side effects. However, this came to a halt when the well opened and 185 million gallons of oil began to flow into the crystal blue waters. The oil contaminated the waters resulting in oxygen depletion and petroleum toxicity. There was little chance for the animals as they began washing up on shore covered in the oil slick. Some suggest the solution to off-shore drilling is to abandon the Gulf region altogether and move North to the plentiful Alaska region. Here an estimated 10.4 billion barrels lie beneath the mountainous lands.  However, this oil happens to lie beneath the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and is inhabited by countless endangered species. The land is set aside as a refuge that is supposed to provide safety for the region and species that live there. The majority of people who live in this region are in native fishing villages. There are little roads, no industrialism, and little electricity. Expanding a large oil refinery to this region would cost a lot of time and money.

                Off-shore drilling has been a national debate topic for years. However, the topic has been in the spotlight since the Deepwater Horizon spill.  During the 2008 presidential election, the two parties took opposing views on the matter. The Republican Party led by John McCain and Sarah Palin adopted the war cry of “drill, baby drill!” President Obama was opposed to opening new waters to off-shore drilling and instead supported regulating the existing Gulf Coast oil rigs. However, just weeks prior to the spill, President Obama announced he would open more areas to drilling. After the spill occurred, the moratorium was put in place and no drilling has taken place in the region since. In the Gallup poll conducted on whether the current moratorium should be kept in place or not, there was a large line between the two parties. The majority of Democrats called for the moratorium to be kept in place while the majority of Republicans believe it should be repealed. However, one writer argues that most of this off-shore approval is coming from landlocked states that have nothing to lose. Most coastal states are against drilling as it is their tourism and fishing industries that are at risk.

                The debate on off-shore drilling will likely not be resolved anytime soon, however, as fuel prices continue to rise in the wake of the Deepwater Horizon spill national attention will continue to monitor the subject. The moratorium on Gulf Coast drilling is set to expire next month, although lawmakers are pushing to end the ban even earlier. Off-shore drilling comes with many economical and environmental risks; however, it could be the answer to our suffering job market and end dependence on Middle East energy. For those that don’t like to take risks, they believe the money we would invest in searching for oil and constructing new rigs should be applied towards alternative fuels, though this technology could be years away. For now, the American public can only wait to see what lawmakers and politicians decide is more important: the economy or the environment.

Bending the Definition of Refuge

                For the previous postings, I have focused the discussion of the off-shore drilling debate on the beautiful blue waters of the Gulf Coast region. This area has been in the majority of news headlines regarding off-shore drilling because of the Deepwater Horizon spill. However, another beautiful hidden treasure lies amongst the controversy of this topic.

The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge are federally protected lands nearing 20,000,000 acres. In 1960, the lands became federally protected after Alaska gained its statehood and industrialism began to move into the state. The refuge is home to several hundreds of species, many of which have struggled to survive outside of the protected lands. Shortly after its federal protection, lobbyists and politicians in Alaska became curious of the oil reserves beneath the great white state’s frozen ground. One particularly rich area was a portion of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, which was dubbed “1002 area”. 1002 area consists of a small pocket of the entire Refuge, 1,500,000 acres of Alaskan terrain, which is home to the largest caribou calving grounds in the United States. The animals thrive on the lands when they do not have human interference or live in environmental pollutants. The Refuge has worked hard to protect the lands and keep them remote by limiting roadways. The only human inhabitants are native settlements which consist of less than one hundred people.

 Over the last two decades bills have bounced around Senate and the House of Representatives trying to pass oil exploration in the region. When President George W. Bush was elected to office, he not only ended the moratorium on off-shore drilling that had been in effect for several decades but he also pushed for exploration drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Drilling in the region continues to be a controversial matter in United States politics. In the coming posts I will discuss the economic and ecological effects that could arise from drilling in the Refuge.

Politicians Are Oily

For my entire life, I have vacationed on Hilton Head Island in South Carolina. During this time, I have become very familiar with the sandy beaches and open blue waters. One summer I noticed a dark object many miles into the water. Usually I can recognize if it is a boat or a distant island, but this was very small and stationary. I asked my parents what it was, and they told me an oil well had been built there over the last year. Suddenly that dark speck on the horizon became very clear. I knew about the dangers of oil refinements, and I wondered why someone would want to risk damaging such a beautiful place?

                Off-shore drilling has always been an issue of importance, however during the 2008 elections; the topic entered the presidential debates. Gas prices had soared since the 2005 Hurricane Katrina disaster, tensions in the Middle East were worse than ever, and the American public was becoming very positive towards alternative fuels. The Republican Party was in favor of ending the moratorium and opening up US coastal ways for drilling because they claimed this would lower gas and food prices for American families. The party even took on the war cry, “Drill, baby drill!” The Democratic Party initially opposed opening up new waterways and instead took the position of enforcing new rules for off-shore drilling. However, like politicians do, President Obama changed his position on the topic once he gained office. Three weeks before the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill dumped millions of barrels of oils into the crystal blue waters of the Gulf Coast; Obama announced he would open new areas to off-shore drilling. Three weeks later, Obama gained the largest disaster of his presidency and it would continue for the next six months.

Gas Prices: How Much Is Too Much?

               
               Like most people, when I drive by a gas station I often take notice of what the current gas prices are. Unfortunately like most, I am completely dependent on gasoline and will pay whatever it takes to fill up my car’s gas tank. I cringe when I see the prices skyrocket to the three dollar range; however, I know I will end up paying it. For this reason, like most, I am all for finding alternative fuel sources. However, seems like every day new methods are found that sound more like the plot of a bad science fiction movie instead of a reality. For this reason, I believe it will be many years until we are no longer consuming millions of gallons of gasoline daily. The next viable option for lowering gasoline prices is obtaining more oil. Basic supply and demand teaches us the higher the supply, the lower the price. However obtaining more oil would mean becoming even more dependent on the Middle East, which is already a messy situation, or drilling on our coasts. THIS IS NOT THE ANSWER!!!!

               Drilling new oil wells on the United States coastlines is not a viable solution to sky-high gas prices despite what many people believe because it would take several years to even begin producing oil and the environmental dangers are much too great. In order to fill our oil consumption, we would need to produce 20 million barrels of oil daily. At the peak of US drilling, before the moratorium was put into effect after the 1969 oil spill, we were only producing 10 million barrels. The U.S. Department of Energy found that building new offshore drilling facilities would not have a significant impact on fuel prices until 2030. By then, our society will have developed even further, and our oil consumption will only have increased.

The Gulf Coast waters are made up of a variety of ecosystems and a plethora of animals, many of which are endangered. It is truly one of our national treasures, as not only does it provide beauty in its white sandy beaches and clear waters, but it is also economical. Tourism, fishing, and aerospace facilities help make the Gulf Coast region one of the most profitable areas in the country and have paved the way for many nearby metropolitan cities. However, these industries combined do not even add up to the money made by the strongest industry in the region, petrolium. Eighteen billion barrels of easily accessible oil lie deep beneath the crystal blue surface of the Gulf Coast waters.
Offshore drilling has been a debate in United States politics since the early ninetys. The subject contains many controversial topics such as alternative fuels, oil dependency, and ecological effects. While everyone agrees oil is very much needed in the United States until we can kick our dependency, not everyone agrees on where we should get the oil. President George H.W. Bush placed an executive ban ending all offshore oil extraction. However, in July 2008 that ban was lifted by President George W. Bush. Since then, the debate has become even more fiery with the recent Deepwater Horizon oil spill, which was the largest in United States history. Nearly five million barrels of oil flowed into our waterways and onto our beaches. We cannot wait for another oil spill to take action.
http://edition.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/07/14/bush.offshore/index.html