The Politics of Oil and the Environment

One of O.A.R.S.’ (Outdoor Adventure River Specialists) highest priorities is taking care of the environment.  In partnership with their guests, the whitewater rafting and adventure travel company has contributed over $3 million in donations and fees toward environmental preservation and various conservation initiatives since the company was established in 1969.  O.A.R.S. became 100% carbon neutral in 2007 through an innovative partnership with NativeEnergy Travel Offsets.

The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, approx. the size of South Carolina, is located in the northeast corner of Alaska.  Proponents of Refuge drilling predict that “no more than 2000 acres will be disturbed” if the 1002 Area is developed.  In 1998, a USGS assessment of petroleum resources of the 1002 Area estimated the expected volume of technically recoverable oil beneath the 1002 area to be 7.7 billion barrels, with a 95 percent chance of 4.2 billion barrels and a 5 percent chance of 11.8 billion barrels.  The U.S. currently consumes about 7 billion barrels per year. 

The U.S. Energy Information Administration predicted last year that if the offshore drilling moratorium were lifted, it would take until 2012 to start leasing the areas and until 2017 before oil began to flow. The agency estimated that U.S. oil production would increase by 7 percent - about 200,000 barrels a day - by 2030, which it said would have an "insignificant" impact on oil prices.

Where the candidates stand on the issue of opening the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge for oil exploration and drilling offshore:

Obama:
Voted YES on banning drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge / Voted YES on disallowing an oil leasing program in Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.  He stated, "We could save as much, in terms of our fuel, if we increased our fuel efficiency standards, as much as we would from getting Alaska drilling going immediately.”

Obama opposes more offshore drilling and does not favor ending the federal moratorium that has protected most U.S. waters since the early 1980s, but he has said he would be willing to compromise on that position if offshore drilling were included as part of an overarching strategy to lower energy costs.  His energy plan calls for reducing U.S. oil consumption by at least 35 percent, or 10 million barrels per day, by 2030.

McCain:
Although he was initially opposed to offshore drilling, he has reconsidered and believes with the high price of gasoline, the U.S. should lift the ban on offshore drilling.  He has opposed drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge; however, his VP pick, Sarah Palin, is vehemently FOR offshore drilling and opening the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge for oil drilling and exploration.

Biden:
Voted No on "Arctic National Wildlife Refuge Amendment" (S.Amd.3133), to drill ANWR on national security grounds

Voted Yes on "Budget Amendment, FY2004" (S.Amd.272) to prevent consideration of drilling Arctic National Wildlife Refuge from budget bill

Palin:
Believes the U.S. should drill in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, and she supports offshore drilling.  She was the chairman of Alaska’s Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, which regulates Alaska’s oil and gas resources.  In her January 2007 State of the State Address she said, "I promise to vigorously defend Alaska’s rights, as resource owners, to develop and receive appropriate value for our resources."