"Using backdoor tactics to destroy America's last great wild frontier will not solve our nation's energy problems and will do nothing to lower skyrocketing gas prices," Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Washington
The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR), set aside for environmental protection in 1961, was opened up to oil development by our Senate. Past measures to lift the ban have been defeated because supporters were unable to coerce the 60 votes necessary to break the filibuster. So, they added the article in a budget measure that was impervious to filibuster. Apparently, the oil leases are expected to generate 2.4 billion in revenue by 2010. None of the oil from ANWR is available for export.
Supporters claim that this is key to overcoming our energy crisis. There is an estimated 10.5 billion barrels to be gained by drilling the coastal plain of ANWR. The US uses about 7.3 billion barrels a year. So, we compromise the North American Serengeti for a year and a quarter's worth of oil.
Once development begins, it will take 10 years for the first drop of oil. Production will not peak until at least 2025 and then it may generate up to 20 million barrels of oil a day.
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