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For decades, proponents of oil and gas drilling have viewed Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge as an area rich with natural resources that could help fuel the United States' drive for energy independence.
Now, Congress may be on the verge of finally handing them permission to deliver on an old Republican mantra: Drill, baby, drill.
The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee voted 13-10 last week to approve a bill that would allow oil and gas exploration in the refuge's 1.5-million-acre coastal plain. The measure will be added to the Senate's tax-reform package that is expected to be put to a vote before the end of the year.
And:
Alaska drilling tucked into tax bill:
The multi-decade fight over allowing drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) could quickly be resolved if the GOP-controlled Congress approves the massive tax overhaul package. The bill includes language that opens up ANWR for drilling, and it will be taken up by the Senate this week, although the vote could be delayed if the Senate struggles to put together enough votes. The outcome of the legislation is unclear.
Also at Quad-Cities Online (opinion) and Alaska Public Radio
(Score: 1) by Sulla on Monday November 27 2017, @03:04PM (2 children)
Drilling projects will use land about the same size as a small city, ANWR is the size of a large state.
Ceterum censeo Sinae esse delendam
(Score: 2) by bob_super on Tuesday November 28 2017, @01:06AM (1 child)
I haven't checked what's in this version, but the "1002" area isn't the size of a city. 6100km2 is a county (equivalent to 40x60 miles).
We just had yet another pipeline spill in the lower 48. One can understand why people would be nervous about overall cleanliness of extraction in places where observers aren't welcome.
(Score: 1) by Sulla on Tuesday November 28 2017, @01:40AM
The wiki on the trans-alaska is pretty interesting
ttps://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trans-Alaska_Pipeline_System
Further down the link it lists the number of leaks by year, 2003 to 2006 had four leaks. Does not show more recent data though, and before 03 there were a lot more per year. The low numbers are probably due to trying to not waste oil, if oil level falls too low (too little going in or too much leakage) the pipeline will need to shut down. If shut down it cannot start back up again because it is self lubricating and far below where it was built to be at.
Ceterum censeo Sinae esse delendam