ANWR drilling overdue

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The budget reconciliation bill recently passed by the Senate would finally open the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) to drilling. Environmentalists are "outraged." Many Democrats plan to go against their constituents' interests by voting against drilling.

Sad to say, that's to be expected. But it's amazing that a number of Republicans are likewise saying they intend to vote to lock up ANWR'S vast energy resources. They're supposed to understand market forces and energy economics -- at least better than their Democratic colleagues. And yet they plan to vote "nay" precisely when global petroleum demand is soaring, energy prices reaching all-time highs, and winter heating bills will make it increasingly difficult for the poor to heat and eat.

That any responsible member of Congress could vote against this legislation shows the ideological narrow view of drilling foes, the vast misinformation that still dictates discussions of this issue, and refusal of elected officials even to acknowledge the cumulative effects of "environmental protection" rules over many decades -- much less do anything about them.

Many votes against drilling are coming from California, Northeastern and Midwestern legislators who have made a career railing against high energy prices, "obscene" oil company profits, unemployment and balance of trade deficits -- while doing everything possible to constrict supplies, increase demand and drive up prices. For instance, air quality rules -- coupled with a virtual prohibition on new nuclear plants -- mean most new electrical generating plants are gas-fired, and demand for natural gas is at an all-time high.

But these same legislators have consistently opposed natural gas (and oil) development in Alaska, off the East Coast, off the Florida coast, along the Pacific Coast, in the Great Lakes, throughout the Western states, and in any other areas where petroleum might actually be found.

They apparently believe it's OK to drill in other countries, even in sensitive areas. It's likewise appropriate to buy crude from oil-rich dictators (especially at a discount from Venezuelan despots), send American jobs and dollars overseas, reduce U.S. royalty and tax revenues, imperil industries that depend on petroleum, and blanket habitats with "ecologically friendly" wind turbines and solar panels. However, drilling in the U.S.A., even for natural gas, is strictly verboten.

This is truly political theater of the absurd.

ANWR, government geologists say, could hold up to 16 billion barrels of recoverable oil. That's 30 years' of imports from Saudi Arabia. Turned into gasoline, it would power California's entire vehicle fleet for 50 years. The area's natural gas could fuel Florida, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin generating plants a decade or more.

At $50 a barrel, ANWR crude would replace $800 billion in foreign oil, create up to 700,000 American jobs, and generate hundreds of billions in royalties and taxes.

Bringing this oil online would have other vital benefits. As Prudhoe Bay and nearby oil reserves decline, a time will be reached where there isn't enough to run the Trans-Alaska Pipeline at capacity. That would mean enormous otherwise recoverable oil will be left in the ground, instead of fueling our economy. ANWR supplies would keep our oil lifeline open.