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Action Alert: Artic Refuge Drilling Vote Thursday

By Jeralyn, Section Legislation
Posted on Tue Mar 14, 2006 at 06:00:08 PM EST
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I don't often write about environmental issues. But there's an important vote coming up Thursday. The full Senate is expected to vote on a budget resolution that instructs the Energy Committee to authorize drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

The budget resolution the Senate is debating assumes that offering leases for oil and gas drilling in the federal refuge would raise some $3 billion in revenue. If the language remains intact, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee would be directed to produce language for a filibuster-proof budget reconciliation bill that would open ANWR to drilling.

The action alert page from the Wilderness Society will send a message to your Senator. Spreading the word on your blogs also would help.

The federal budget should not be used to force controversial policy measures through Congress that cannot be passed otherwise. Such a blatant abuse of the budget process would set a dangerous precedent and permanently damage the integrity of the Senate.

....Drilling in the Coastal Plain of the Refuge would sacrifice a national treasure of stunning landscapes and abundant wildlife in order to save just one penny at the gas pump, twenty years from now. Energy experts agree that there are cleaner, cheaper, and faster ways to address our energy needs, such as making our cars go further on a gallon of gasoline and investing in clean, renewable energy.

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    • Action Alert: Artic Refuge Drilling Vote Thursday | 26 comments (26 topical)
    Re: Action Alert: Artic Refuge Drilling Vote Thurs (none / 0) (#1)
    by rMatey on Tue Mar 14, 2006 at 06:25:28 PM EST
    Let me guess. "Gentlemen, Start your drills!"

    Re: Action Alert: Artic Refuge Drilling Vote Thurs (none / 0) (#2)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Tue Mar 14, 2006 at 07:01:47 PM EST
    Well, I know how my guys will vote.

    Re: Action Alert: Artic Refuge Drilling Vote Thurs (none / 0) (#3)
    by Al on Tue Mar 14, 2006 at 07:33:10 PM EST
    It is vital to stop drilling in the Arctic. Here is an example of the very real threat to the environment.

    Re: Action Alert: Artic Refuge Drilling Vote Thurs (none / 0) (#4)
    by jimakaPPJ on Wed Mar 15, 2006 at 06:44:05 AM EST
    In other news, many poor people are trying to decide if they should pay their utility bills or buy food.

    Re: Action Alert: Artic Refuge Drilling Vote Thurs (none / 0) (#6)
    by kdog on Wed Mar 15, 2006 at 07:08:21 AM EST
    Where have you gone, Teddy Roosevelt? For that matter, where have you gone, true conservatives? This month's Playboy has a small interview with RFK Jr., and he made a great point. To paraphrase, he said America today is being run like a liquidation sale, selling off all our assets and using up all our resources for short term profits to our collective long term detriment. Does the phrase "penny wise, pound foolish" ring a bell?

    Re: Action Alert: Artic Refuge Drilling Vote Thurs (none / 0) (#7)
    by Johnny on Wed Mar 15, 2006 at 08:35:19 AM EST
    Great issue, ain't it kdog. Read the article about how conservatives in Wyoming and Montana are starting to align themselves with gun friendly democrats because the republicans are pretty much destroying the environment for short term economic gain? And in other news, the US decides to not build 4 more jets,and instead gives heating assistance to a hundred thousand poor people.

    Re: Action Alert: Artic Refuge Drilling Vote Thurs (none / 0) (#8)
    by Slado on Wed Mar 15, 2006 at 09:27:36 AM EST
    Classic liberalism. When given a real solution to solve the problem make up a reason why it won't work and instead offer government handouts.

    Re: Action Alert: Artic Refuge Drilling Vote Thurs (none / 0) (#9)
    by Johnny on Wed Mar 15, 2006 at 09:41:49 AM EST
    Tell us Slado, do you live enar an oilfield? Do you hunt? Do you enjoy the diversity of life which brought us all here? How's this for cutting back government handouts... Stop any and all tax breaks to vehicle manufacturers who can't make their entire fleet of vehicles 25% more fuel efficient in 5 years. Penalize furnace manufacturers and insualtion manufacturers until they can create products to reduce fuel usage 20%. Poof! Bye bye need for drilling ANWR! This is about short term economic gain at the expense of long term environmetal degradation.

    Re: Action Alert: Artic Refuge Drilling Vote Thurs (none / 0) (#10)
    by Peaches on Wed Mar 15, 2006 at 09:48:24 AM EST
    When given a real solution to solve the problem
    Enlighten us Slado. What is the Real solution? and what problem is it exactly that this solution is attempting to solve?

    Re: Action Alert: Artic Refuge Drilling Vote Thurs (none / 0) (#11)
    by roy on Wed Mar 15, 2006 at 09:58:24 AM EST
    Slado,
    Classic liberalism. When given a real solution to solve the problem make up a reason why it won't work and instead offer government handouts.
    Not be be confused with modern conservatism. When given a real problem, pretend you have a solution to solve it and instead help your campaign contributors make money. I don't have a problem with allowing drilling, but let's be honest about the impact on the average American.
    1. One less scenic spot to never get around to visiting on vacation
    2. A trivial or unnoticeable improvement in gas prices and national security
    3. A wee bit less government debt or more government services as the oil companies pay taxes on their profits.
    The only way this will "solve" anything is if #3 above is used to fund a handout to buy fuel for a small number of desperately poor people.

    Re: Action Alert: Artic Refuge Drilling Vote Thurs (none / 0) (#12)
    by Peaches on Wed Mar 15, 2006 at 10:04:03 AM EST
    Slado, Was this the problem you were trying to solve?

    Re: Action Alert: Artic Refuge Drilling Vote Thurs (none / 0) (#14)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Wed Mar 15, 2006 at 11:18:02 AM EST
    et al.. "Classic liberalism".. Boy is that right on! Let's cry about our dependence on foreign oil, and the need to find alternatives.... and then block every single thing the government tries to do. We can't have windmills off the coast of Mass. (aka - Dem HQ) because it will block our view of the ocean. We can't drill in Anwr because the 3 tourists that visit there every year won't like the view. So, screw it...let's just blame Bush! Classic liberalism.. indeed!

    Re: Action Alert: Artic Refuge Drilling Vote Thurs (none / 0) (#15)
    by Slado on Wed Mar 15, 2006 at 11:24:11 AM EST
    peaches Unless you are advocating an oil free society tomorrow what is the point of your post? As for the "claim" that this oil won't help that is bogus. "Experts" have different opinions Drill but no one can state simply that it won't help. That's an opinion, not a fact that should be the basis of an argument.

    Re: Action Alert: Artic Refuge Drilling Vote Thurs (none / 0) (#16)
    by Slado on Wed Mar 15, 2006 at 11:34:01 AM EST
    Also Peaches the real solution: 1) Find and fund alternative fuel sources 2) Allow for the builing of new refineries 3) Allow the expansion of Nuclear Power 4) Allow for oil exploration in Anwar, off Florida and wherever we can find it to decreas our foriegn dependency. 5) Give tax incentives for energy efficiency ala Energy Star, hybrid vehicles and Green Buildings. See you have to do them all at the same time but as usual liberls would rather take an extreme position, demagoge the issue to protect special interests (in this case enviro groups). All the while fight tooth and nail to block ideas that might actually help solve the problem.

    Re: Action Alert: Artic Refuge Drilling Vote Thurs (none / 0) (#17)
    by Peaches on Wed Mar 15, 2006 at 12:12:40 PM EST
    Slado, The point is there are no easy solutions. Drillimg in ANWR is not going to end our dependence on foriegn oil and every single expert is in agreement on that. If you want to believe some propagnda put out by profiteers, go right ahead. We are all there with you. Your real solutions are mere bandaids. Iknow, and we know, that the oil will be drilled in ANWR and noone but the oil profiteers are going to be the better for it. If I could I would advocate an oilfree society tomorrow. But, I am a realist, like you, so I will just wait for the day when nature makes the decision for us. I don't have that big of a disagreement with you,except your antagonizing generalization of classic liberalism as if you really have a solution that differs from what liberals, profiteers, conservatives, and everyone else has been tossing out. When the truth is we are in the midst of one huge dilemma concerning our natural resources and our economy and noone has any idea how we are going to get out of it without any real pain. In other words, we are all f@$#ed and we all know it. So, we can stop blaming anyone but ourselves and the decadent lifestyles we have been living for the last one hundred years. blaming it on liberals or right wingers is not going to change that fact.

    Re: Action Alert: Artic Refuge Drilling Vote Thurs (none / 0) (#18)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Wed Mar 15, 2006 at 12:46:55 PM EST
    Your real solutions are mere bandaids.
    Are there any solutions, included drilling in Anwar, that, realistically, are not?

    Re: Action Alert: Artic Refuge Drilling Vote Thurs (none / 0) (#19)
    by Slado on Wed Mar 15, 2006 at 12:58:10 PM EST
    the decadent lifestyles we have been living for the last one hundred years
    That really gets at the difference between you and me Peaches. I don't see American or Western lifestyles as decadent because I beleive that our lifestyle has improved the lives of everyone in this country and it's constantly proven that our way of life in the long run improves the standard of living for everyone. Sure there are consequences and energy sources and who to find them is one of them but usually our decadence manages to find a way. I think we will move to other energy sources when economic fources move us to them but in the mean time the government should get out of the way when it makes sense to.

    Re: Action Alert: Artic Refuge Drilling Vote Thurs (none / 0) (#20)
    by Peaches on Wed Mar 15, 2006 at 01:08:16 PM EST
    I don't see American or Western lifestyles as decadent because I beleive that our lifestyle has improved the lives of everyone in this country and it's constantly proven that our way of life in the long run improves the standard of living for everyone.
    That would be the difference. But, don't sweat it, there are many liberals who share your same disagreement with me. I will only say a couple of things in retort. (1) I'd love to see that proof you are refering too. (2) You can always point to cuba and thier life expectancy compared to ours, if you are going to throw out life expectancy stats. (3) life expectancy, if this was going to be your proof, has little to do with it anyway. (4) So, lets see that proof (Remember you said "our way of life in the long run improves the standard of living for everyone"

    Re: Action Alert: Artic Refuge Drilling Vote Thurs (none / 0) (#21)
    by jondee on Wed Mar 15, 2006 at 01:17:45 PM EST
    I see jim in the spirit of our president is continuing his crusade for the impoverished of the nation. Who can question the mans zeal and sincerity?

    Re: Action Alert: Artic Refuge Drilling Vote Thurs (none / 0) (#22)
    by Peaches on Wed Mar 15, 2006 at 01:27:05 PM EST
    I think we will move to other energy sources when economic fources move us to them but in the mean time the government should get out of the way when it makes sense to
    The problem is when does it make sense to. ANWR is a national wildlife refuge, meaning we all own it and we all have a say in how it is used. Determining how it is used is not easy, but the only instituion we have for maing decisions is congress. Somply handing over to oil companies makes no sense without some sort of discussion. Right?

    Re: Action Alert: Artic Refuge Drilling Vote Thurs (none / 0) (#23)
    by jimakaPPJ on Wed Mar 15, 2006 at 04:21:25 PM EST
    jondee - Yes. As a social liberal I think it is proper that we use all of our resources for our collective good. Peaches writes:
    ANWR is a national wildlife refuge, meaning we all own it and we all have a say in how it is used.
    Actually, no. Since we are a constitutional republic with democratic elections, you get to elect representatives who you (try to) can tell what they should do. We don't have national votes on ANWAR, taxes or any other issue.

    Re: Action Alert: Artic Refuge Drilling Vote Thurs (none / 0) (#25)
    by Peaches on Thu Mar 16, 2006 at 09:43:18 AM EST
    Jim, You must really be trying to shake that senile label. Thanks for that important technical clarification. what would we have here at TL without you to inform all of us on the workings of our democracy--uh, sry, constitutional republic.

    Re: Action Alert: Artic Refuge Drilling Vote Thurs (none / 0) (#26)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Thu Mar 16, 2006 at 09:48:43 AM EST
    kdog, I used to think the exact same thing - use Anwar like a savings account for when it's really needed. Now I'm thinking that when the sh"t really hits the fan, it'll be another world war and Anwar seems really remote to try to defend, so maybe we should just get the oil out now and be done with it. Not to mention how much more devastating for the Anwar environment a battlefield would be than an oilfield. Of course, when the sh"t really hits the fan, the environment - anywhere - will probably be the least of anyone's concerns...

    Re: Action Alert: Artic Refuge Drilling Vote Thurs (none / 0) (#27)
    by Peaches on Thu Mar 16, 2006 at 10:10:07 AM EST
    Are there any solutions, included drilling in Anwar, that, realistically, are not?
    Sorry Sarc, I missed this one. Some solutions are better than others. I am not a fan of nuclear, but the problem of CO2 makes this prferable to coal. We need a new infrastructure in the US that relies more on mass Transit than Trains. Technology could play a role in the development of renewable energies, but I think they are also bandaids. Reducing consumption of energy is preferable to increasing production for a number of environmental reasons, but the problem is that GDP is directly tied to energy use. Inother words when enrgy use increases the GDP increases with it and in the same proportion. So, if we wish to decrease our energy use, then we have to be prepared to live much less consumptive lifestyles where individuals are not just consumers, but producers also. This would mean living as we once did over a century ago. More small farms and small communities with local economies that are self sufficient. This solution is not a mere bandaid, it is major surgery and would require AMericans to completely change the way we live. This is unlikely to happen by choice, but it will happen by adaptation when we are forced to adapt to changing enviromental and economic conditions. At least we will either adapt, or we will perish--as any of nature's organisms would that failed to adapt. Thats my take on it, anyway.

    Re: Action Alert: Artic Refuge Drilling Vote Thurs (none / 0) (#28)
    by kdog on Thu Mar 16, 2006 at 10:16:59 AM EST
    Perhaps sarc. My impression is that this is more of a money grab while oil-friendly Bush is in office, not an essential energy policy move. The articles I've read leave me unimpressed with the amount of oil there. We are better off working on decreasing usage/increasing efficiency.

    Re: Action Alert: Artic Refuge Drilling Vote Thurs (none / 0) (#29)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Thu Mar 16, 2006 at 10:30:59 AM EST
    This would mean living as we once did over a century ago. More small farms and small communities with local economies that are self sufficient. This solution is not a mere bandaid, it is major surgery and would require AMericans to completely change the way we live. This is unlikely to happen by choice, but it will happen by adaptation when we are forced to adapt to changing enviromental and economic conditions.
    I'm with you Peaches.

    Action Alert: Artic Refuge Drilling Vote Thursday | 26 comments (26 topical)