Question: Seems like O&G development of the Eastern Arctic Slope and construction of the Alaska Pipeline not only had no apparent adverse impact on wildlife there, but the caribou population has increased during the years since (sex overcomes all obstacles). Why would new operations on the coastal plain tundra to the west kill off all living things?
Notes: An observation or three
1) Drilling can only be done there in winter when the surface is frozen solid.
2) Directional drilling during the days of earlier North Slope development was in its infancy. Now numerous production wells can be replaced by a single rig at the surface.
3) Environmental restraints are far more stringent now than 35 years ago.
4) When the North Slope development ogre is on the news, the shots invariaby are of beautiful snow covered mountains and cuddly baby caribou and their mommas (they do not live in the mountains). Drilling won't occur anywhere near mountains. "Boys, there ain't no oil in them mountains. Be honest!"
5) It makes far more sense to depend on our Mid East buddies where there are no political problems or international dangers, doesn't it?
Oh, I forgot. We can always get more oil from Venezuela, can't we?
As I said, "Ain't it a shame oil is where you find it instead of where you want it to be."
Oh well. We are going to be completely off of hydrocarbons in a year or so anyway. And so will China and India. Don't worry! Be Happy!
Bad (An environmental activist before many of you were born) Bob
