1. ANWR—Two Sides to Every Issue
Arctic National Wildlife Refuge

2. The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (above) and its caribou (right).
Photos from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; photo below hosted on web site of Vermont Senator Patrick Leahy
leahy.senate.gov/issues/ environment/caribou.gif
The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (above) and its caribou (right).

4. Drilling in ANWR
The United States has only 3% of the world’s oil reserves, yet it consumes 25% of the world’s production.

5. What is ANWR? ANWR stands for Alaska National Wildlife Refuge
Largest wildlife refuge in United States
Consists of 19 million acres
Has a native population of 220 residents in Kaktovik

6. History of ANWR
1923 – 23million acres of land set aside as an oil reserve
– government created two areas:
One for the production of oil and natural gas
One to be used as a wildlife refuge originally 8.9 million acres
1980 – Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act was passed – increased ANWR to 19 million acres

7. Should drilling be allowed in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge?

8. So what is the big deal?
Should the drilling of oil occur in ANWR or should it remain a wildlife sanctuary?
Two main debates:
The drilling of oil could help reduce the nation’s dependence on foreign oil.
The drilling of oil will disrupt the environment of many species of animals.

9. Prudhoe Bay North America’s largest oil field
Located less than 100 miles west of ANWR
Accounts for about 25% of U.S. domestic oil production
Millions of dollars have been spent in the region to increase scientific understanding of Arctic ecosystems and to show that oil production and wildlife can co-exist

10. Arguments for drilling
Geologists have estimated that 10.4 billion barrels of oil lie beneath a coastal strip of the Alaskan tundra
Because of the war with Iraq, supporters of drilling have emphasized the need for energy security, arguing that drilling in the refuge would reduce American dependence on foreign oil sources

11. Important Figures
The United States currently imports over 50% of its oil, most of which comes from Africa and Canada (other) not the Middle East.
49 % comes from Western Hemisphere--North, South, and Central America and the Caribbean including U.S. territories
The U.S. is expected to rely on foreign sources for 70% of its oil by 2025.
The United States is the world’s largest consumer of oil, using about 20.7 million barrels each day.

12. The assumption that ANWR oil production would begin 10 years after legislation approves the Federal oil and natural gas leasing in the 1002 Area is based on a 8-to-12 year timeline for development of the infrastructure

13. How much does it cost to drill?
Drilling 10,000-12,000 feet costs approx.  $294 per foot-drilled 
Resulting in $2,940,000 to 3,528,000 for each well

14. Why so expensive?
Alaska oil fields have always been more expensive to develop than lower-48 oil fields due to the North Slope’s remote location, harsh winters, and the environmental requirement to maintain the permafrost layer

15. ANWR Drilling video

16. Environmental View

17. Cons of Drilling
Could harm the habitat of thousands of species of animals, disrupting birthing area habitat, pollution
Estimates say that the oil or gas will take approximately years to reach the market
Oil from ANWR is not expected to significantly impact world oil prices –see
Only projected to decrease America’s dependence on foreign oil by 8% by 2025

18. Who doesn’t support drilling?
Environmental Groups
Democratic Party
Alaska Inter-Tribal Council

19. Environmental Concerns
Environmentalists are not convinced that the area affected by the drilling would be limited to 2,000 acres.
They feel that the entire 1.5 million acres of coastal tundra would be touched, affecting polar bears in their dens, calving grounds for caribou, and migratory birds in the area.
birds species, 36 types of land mammals, 9 types of marine mammals, and 36 kinds of fish.

21. (plus some coal pictures)
The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR): Where Caribou Meet Oil Conduits
(plus some coal pictures)
Above: USGS
Right: Fish and Wildlife Service

22. Other Aspects to Consider
The amount of oil in ANWR is only estimated to supply the United States for ~1.4years
Alternative fuel resources and increased CAF standards would provide 4 times more the amount of oil and less expensive
New oil technology have been designed to utilize the least amount of land surface possible
The amount of oil available is uncertain, it is currently based on estimates only

23. So, the question is: Should the Unites States allow drilling in ANWR or not?

24. Pros and Cons for Drilling
6min