On Energy & ANWR
by Gov. Sarah Palin
July 16, 2008
What will it take for Congress to enact comprehensive energy policy that includes increased domestic production of oil and gas, renewable and alternative energy, and conservation? It seems to us outside of the Capital Beltway that virtually every effort to accomplish this is met with criticism and failure.
In my opinion, the debate about energy policy is no longer theoretical or abstract. Our failure to enact an energy policy is having real consequences for every American in their daily lives and has begun to affect America's place in the world. Alaska is ready, willing, and able to assist the nation in addressing our acute and expanding energy needs. Like many other states, we would like the opportunity to help.
Congressional approval of responsible petroleum development in the coastal plain of Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) - the most promising unexplored petroleum province in North America - would be of incalculable benefit to my state and our nation.
In the last few weeks, proposals have been tabled to permit oil exploration and development in the 80 percent of the federal Outer Continental Shelf (OCS)which is off-limits to such activity. I strongly support OCS development in Alaska and elsewhere as a necessary component of a sound energy strategy. However, it makes no sense to consider the OCS and to ignore the possibility of exploration and development in highly perspective upland areas,including ANWR.
As this is written, the Alaska Legislature is considering proposals to commercialize and transport the vast quantities of clean-burning natural gas that are located on the North Slope.
Already, 32 trillion cubic feet of natural gas reserves have been identified, and many trillions of additional cubic feet are thought to exist on the North Slope and in off shore areas of Alaska.
This gas is important to consumers in the lower 48 states, as prices rise and we are increasingly concerned about the carbon footprint resulting from energy utilization.
If we don't move now to enact an energy policy that includes more oil and gas production from domestic sources, including ANWR and the federal OCS, we may look back someday and realize that we failed to perceive a critical crossroad in the history of this nation. I don't think it's overly dramatic to say that our country's future and the quality of life for every American depends on the decisions that are made or not made in the next few months.
Comments
Madam Governor you are SPOT ON!
We need a VP like you or even a presidential candidate!
Janet Cronin - PLEASE do some honest research regarding the existing Alaska pipeline relative to caribou - not only has it NOT harmed them it has actually HELPED increase herd numbers in measurable and VERIFIABLE fashion.
The demacrats BIG argument against drilling, is we will not see results for 5 to 10 years, I am just glad they are not in charge of cancer research.
Janice Morwick
I fully support Govenor Palin's solutions to our energy woes. She's my top choice for McCain's VP.
Very well said, Governor, and very well thought out. Short term, we need an energy policy that recognizes we are dependent on petroleum for transportation, heating, and manufacturing. We need a policy sensitive to the environment but also pragmatic for needs (and we need to cut down on the optional and/or wasteful use of petroleum, much of which is ending up in landfills as plastic waste). Long term, we need to augment or replace petroleum with nuclear, solar, geothermal and other green/efficient technologies, recognizing that they won't come tomorrow, and will need massive investment in research and infrastructure. Sadly, I don't include biofuels, since the diversion of corn for ethanol has resulted in the sharp rise in food prices, making a bad economy even worse (we should look at Brazil's solution, using cane sugar cutting -- biomass waste -- to convert to ethanol).
In addition to our natural resources, we have another resource we havent' tapped much in this area: the natural ingenuity and industry of the American entrepeneur ... we need to make this a priority similar to the race to the moon -- energy independence ought to be a key discussion in this year's Presidential campaign ... and a governor with experience in Energy policy and conservation ought to be a major player in that discussion ...
Thanks to both the Senator and the Governor for bringing this issue (and the potential Alaskan solutions) the exposure it needs ....
There is NO "clearing" of land required for the tiny ANWR drill site. It is basically a barren wasteland. See the pictures for yourself as most people have no idea what is there and how the wildlife there would not be affected. Go here:
http://petesplace-peter.blogspot.com/2008/07/oil-and-gas-exploration-in-arctic.html
We will need oil in some form for decades to come. Maybe we'll need less of it (via flex-fuels), but transportation is a key element of modern society. Air cargo and trucking, for example, are indispensable. Asphalt roads are made from oil. Never mine the myriad products that are hydrocarbon based.
In many parts of the world farmers lack transportation infrastructure to get their products to market.
Without robust fuel supplies our existence would be brutish, nasty and short. Let's hope this time we learn our lesson and increase our domestic supplies of oil and other hydrocarbons. And nuclear too.
I dunno Governor Palin, you and Senator Cornyn are making waaaaaay too much sense. I agree totally. It is up to the people of the U.S. to let their Senators and Representatives know that we demand action now.
Energy acquisition can be accomplished very environmentally friendly with today's technology. Radical environmentalism should be called suicidal environmentalism. Care for our enviroment is good, death by stupidity is not.
Let's get the ball rolling.
Good job Senator ... keep up the good work Governor.
Very well said! McCain could use a Vice President who felt the same way. (Hint, hint)
I am all in favor or investing time and money into alternative fueling but drilling into Alaskan wildlife is something I am against.
We have already cleared enough land for our energy. More money must be spent on hydrogen and nuclear power.
Why do we not copy the French on this energy crisis we are having?
I am all in favor or drilling and extracting some of our oil but we must remember to take care of the environment.
Too many oil companies come in and build hundreds of miles of pipelines not believing it will affect the wildlife.
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Amen to your comments Governor Palin. It's nice to know that their are still a few leaders with some common sense and not swayed by special interest groups in Washington. I believe that if we don't begin depending on our own resources soon and bring these gas prices down our economy will not be able to stand the strain. As much as I believe that alternative energy is a goal that we need to develope were still only in the very early stages of making that a reality. The only answer is drill now!!