Greta V.S. (On the Record) is running this series on Alaska and she had an enviro-whacko Washington State Rep. on last night who spouted his three reasons not to drill on ANWAR. He talked incessantly (and repetitively I might add) effectively limiting any tough questions he might have to answer. Greta failed to control him at all.
The crux of his opposition to drilling is that there is not enough oil there to make a difference. Is that the new criterion for dropping a well, it’s got to be massive and earth-shaking? Economic output isn’t enough. If it’s not humongous, it just shouldn’t be attempted? If so, then ALL exploration would necessarily have to cease.
This is a typical case of creating a straw-man requirement and then basing recommended action on the false premise. It’s a typical enviro-whacko tactic that gets typical media traction.
"...... But the fact that drilling won't solve every problem is no excuse to do nothing at all."
-- Sarah Palin, GOP convention VP acceptance speech
The TAP is currently running at half-capacity due to the declining output of Prudhoe Bay. Drilling on the barren plain of ANWR already set aside by Congress for that purpose and running a 100-mile pipeline to the existing infrastructure would double the throughput. It's nuts not to do that.