ANWR

The topic I chose is the debate between the people and the government of drilling in Alaska. This topic surprisingly interested because I realize the gravity of our energy situation. Congress has supported the environmentalists twice in the past four years to support the no drilling policy in Alaska. ANWR stands for Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, the environmentalists argue that the caribou, which are surrounding the territory where drilling would take place, are an endangered species and would be harmed through the drilling process. However there are several sources and images even of the workers that were drilling or inspecting the drilling area that were interacting with the caribou and not harming them at all. Rather getting along with them. Do not take me as a person who does not care about the environment, in fact that is one of my main concerns about this election. However this area in Alaska where the American people are wanting drilling to be done occupies 2,000 acres out of 19 million acres of the refuge that would be utilized for energy production. Both the presidential candidates have stated that they do not support drilling in the refuge area however President Carter in 1980 along with Congress set aside 1.5 million acres of ANWR's Northern Coastal Plain for potential oil development. It is surprising to me that our candidates are seeming to look over this incredible opportunity of energy production on our very own soil. Especially when I find it imperative to seperate our reliance on foreign oil and create our own resource. When the presidential candidates have repetitively faught for the voice of the American people and the American people are wanting to utilize this energy source, the candidates have no support in their supposed claim to want to speak for the American people. It is neccessary for us find and produce our own energy which is exactly what drilling in the ANWR territories would give us.