Drilling for oil in protected lands?

As someone environmentally minded, it strikes me that some of the old arguments against drilling for oil in protected lands are outdated because of our new sophisticated technologies. I would think that if it's done right, we can actually drill in these places with minimal environmental impact. If we don't drill, we force third world countries with little or no environmental protection laws to step up their oil production, which strikes me as counter-productive. What do you think?Drilling for oil in protected lands?
Let me answer this very simply- the purpose behind the push for more drilling in protected lands is to increase the profits of the oil companies. Profit is the only purpose of a US corporation- It is not to find more oil and reduce the cost to the consumer, but rather it is to find more oil and control the supply of it to the point where it is over $120 a barrel-It will be this way until there is another source of energy found to replace it- and then that source will be controlled by the oil companies. I can see it now- solar engery goes up $300 a barrel due to the cloudy days we have been having.Drilling for oil in protected lands?
The key words here are: ';if done right'; however, drilling requires people to inhabit the area where they work, and you cannot completely monitor and control activities of people which, in and of itself, can be an environmental mess. Also, there is the ideal vs the practical and unexpected aspects of drilling. For example, what would be the environmental impact of noise in a protected area like ANWAR? Also, it will be years before the oil is available and from what I have heard, it won't amount to much - maybe months to a year's worth of supply. Finally, continuing to drill for oil only furthers our dependence on oil. Why not put all that technology and human effort into developing and marketing alternative sources of fuel and energy? It's really out there!
It is too simplistic, NO - even with the technology we have now is considerable environmental damage. Then there are after affects, the damage is irreversible at least for few centuries.





In third world countries it wouln't matter either way, environmental issues are not top of their agenda. The misconception you have is, there is plenty of OIL to be drilled, hence considerably limiting the imports. Not exactly.





The OIL available within US is drops compared to overall world supply. It would have no major impact, would only lower the price by few cents and still you are looking at few years till this supply is available. There are millions of acres empty that still haven't been drilled yet, so why not drill them before cause irreversible damage in sanctuaries like ANWAR.





Believe even with the technology available now there is a lot of damage to the environment. Think about how the OIL will be drilled and resources required.





How come same amount of emphasize is not exerted on calling for alternative fuel sources. there is no doubt about it with the technology we have now, we can have a viable renewable alternative sources with two decades. If There is a WILL there is a WAY!





Only requirements are;


- to completely eliminate corporate coercion and influence


- Capital


- Pressure the government
I think that we've already pushed wildlife and natural lands into tight corners and should keep protected lands, protected. No matter how safe the technology for oil drilling is, accidents will unavoidably happen. My hope is that Americans will reject the game oil companies (both American and foreign) have been playing and demand a different fuel source to be developed altogether - one that doesn't destroy the environment to get OR use.
no way, never.

eye liner