Two tribes split on Alaskan oil plan

Boston Globe ^ | February 25, 2002 | Robert Schlesinger

[Cincinatus' Wife]

WASHINGTON - The Inupiat Eskimos and the Gwich'in Indians live 150 miles apart in Alaska, but they had to travel thousands of miles from their remote Alaskan homes before crossing paths in Capitol Hill corridors.

They are literally and figuratively separated by the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. A couple of hundred Inupiat live in the town of Kaktovik on diminutive Barter Island, off Alaska's north coast - the only human community in the refuge. Roughly 150 Gwich'in live in Arctic Village, a hamlet just south of the refuge's border.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

A BOSTON GLOBE EDITORIAL: Slick oil politics-- 2/25/2002

[Full Text] THIS WEEK the Senate is expected to begin debate on an energy bill that could either set the nation on a course of resource conservation or give oil drillers a license to carve up one of North America's last great wildernesses, the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. The House has already passed its bill, which endorses Arctic drilling, echoing a Bush administration energy policy that was put together with the help of Enron, other utilities, and big oil.

The stakes are high. Senator John F. Kerry, a leading opponent of Arctic drilling, has been singled out for attack in misleading Florida newspaper ads sponsored by the Teamsters union, dogged supporters of the drilling.

According to Jerry Hood, secretary-treasurer of Teamsters Local 959 in Anchorage, the union is also considering running ads about Kerry in Iowa. Hood makes no bones about the fact that the union is looking at Iowa in part because it is a pivotal state in the presidential nominating process and Kerry is a possible candidate for the White House.

The Florida ad reads: ''Florida and Alaska are 4,100 miles apart, but they have something very important in common: Senator John Kerry (D-Mass.) wants to tell them both what to do in their own backyards.'' The ad implies that because Kerry favors more drilling in the western part of the Gulf of Mexico, he favors coastal drilling off Florida, which most Floridians oppose. In fact, the senator voted specifically against a coastal drilling measure last year.

Despite the ads, Kerry still plans to filibuster any amendment backing Arctic refuge drilling if that is necessary to keep it from passing. Opponents' first goal should be a majority vote to kill the drilling provision.

The unrest in the Mideast has prompted the country to look at ways to reduce its dependence on foreign petroleum. But as Kerry noted last month, the Arctic refuge is not the answer. Peak production, which would cover a small portion of the nation's energy appetite, would not come for 20 years. In the meantime, the industry is letting leased exploration sites in both Alaska and the Gulf of Mexico sit idle until petroleum prices ensure fatter profits.

Measured by the amount of oil at issue, the Arctic drilling dispute is dwarfed by the House and Senate's differing approaches to auto efficiency. Like President Bush, the House gives conservation the back of its hand. Its proposal for increased auto efficiency would yield a minuscule saving by 2010. By contrast, Kerry favors a change in the government-set efficiency standards that would raise mileage from the current 24 miles per gallon (lowest level in 21 years) to 35 miles per gallon by 2013.

A filibuster is a last resort. But it might be needed to protect a pristine wilderness from the drill-first, conserve-never crowd. [End]

This story ran on page A14 of the Boston Globe on 2/25/2002.
© Copyright 2002 Globe Newspaper Company.

=====================================================================================================================

Coastal Plain

spring summer winter

Bush Renews Campaign For Arctic Oil [Excerpt] "We all remember the blackouts and the sky-high energy bills of recent summers," he said. "I urge Congress to protect consumers from these wild swings in energy prices for the future."

The government estimates that at least 5.7 billion barrels of oil - and possibly as many as 16 billion barrels - may be recoverable from the Arctic refuge.

Environmentalists say the refuge contains no more than 3.2 billion barrels, not enough to dramatically ease the country's reliance on imports. They assert that drilling there would endanger polar bears, musk oxen, 130 species of migrating birds and thousands of caribou. [End Excerpt]

Washington Times- White House, labor spur push for ANWR oil-- With the House having passed his energy package months ago, Mr. Bush is growing more determined to prod the Senate into doing the same. "He's definitely stepping up his efforts to urge Senate action," Mr. Bartlett said. "There is a pretty broad consensus on a lot of the package. The flashpoint is ANWR."

anwar.org

[SpinyNorman]

Did anyone show the Gwich'in (who stupidly did not take part in the 1971 lands settlement, and who now purport to worry that oil exploration on the protected coastal slope would lead to changes in the herd upon which they have built their society) the pictures of the caribou FLORISHING along the Alaska pipeline and around Prudhoe bay drilling facilities? Did anyone explain to them that their hunting would be eased by the presence of the refineries? I am sure that no one will force them to take any money or join the rest of civilization.

Why are the needs of one backward tribe superior to that of one that simply wants a damn flush toilet and the best for their children? Why doesn't Kerry pay for the toilets himself out of his wife's $700 million dollar inheritance? Why does Kerry look like Jay Leno with that big horsey face?

All legitimate questions. And, lastly, what about the rights of the caribou not to be hunted? Quick, call PETA!!!!! ;-)

[Cincinatus' Wife]

UNION OF CONCERNED SCIENTISTS:--- Scientists and Religious Leaders Join Forces for the Environment

GREEN LINKS

American Association for the Advancement of Science: The dialogue on science, ethics and religion.

Earth ministry: Available from Environmental Justice Resources, National Council of Churches

Society of Environmental Journalists --"The source for journalists reporting on the environment."

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Great questions----and thought provoking!

[logic101.net]

The history of the North Slope oil fields shows that the wildlife has not been harmed on the slope. These same arguments were used against the pipeline and drilling in the early '70's. Yet the herds are healthier and bigger than ever. This is mostly because the pipeline warms the surface of the tundra under it just enough to allow easier grazing, but not enough to mess up the permafrost underneath.

Of course, to the left, facts don't matter. All that counts to the eviro's is that they hinder Capitalism as much as possible.

MARK A SITY
http://www.logic101.net/

[Mike Darancette]

Opponents of opening the disputed section of the refuge paint a picture of a subsistence-level tribe of Indians facing off against an Eskimo tribe that has been seduced over the years by big oil.

Let me get this straight; the Greenies are backing the subsistence-level tribe that opposes ANWR because it might mean that there will be fewer Caraboo to kill?

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Of course, to the left, facts don't matter. All that counts to the eviro's is that they hinder Capitalism as much as possible.

Yes, the caribou alternately congregate around the pipeline (giving birth in record numbers) and migrating into Canada. The pipeline and oil exploration does not harm the 150 Gwich'in Indians. I see possible jealously that they didn't join the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act as well as the radical influence of the Sierra Club.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Any port in the political propaganda war.

[LandofLincoln]

It is nice to see this issue go back to where it belongs, and that is in the Alaska State house. The Constitution of the United States makes it a state issue, not a national issue.

[LandofLincoln]

It is nice to see this issue go back to where it belongs, and that is in the Alaska State house. The Constitution of the United States makes it a state issue, not a national issue.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

It looks like Capital Hill is the stage.

[alaskanfan]

''It provides us with everything we need,'' said Faith Gemmill, a Gwich'in speaking by telephone from Arctic Village. ''It's 80 percent of our diet, we make clothes from the hide, we make tools from the bones, and we have spiritual dances and songs that tell of our relationship to the caribou.''

Not true. Much of the livelyhood of the Gwich'in is provided by federal and state entitlement programs.

[KC Burke]

Let me get this straight; the Greenies are backing the subsistence-level tribe that opposes ANWR because it might mean that there will be fewer Caraboo to kill?

It is my understanding that the Gwich'in wanted part of the oil pie until it proved out that they would have none due to their location and past non-participation. Now, with the Greenies telling them their access to migratory herds will be hurt, that they should side with the Greenies to get some recognition for their plight, and that the other guys will get it all they are the poster children of the Leftists. The real residents have been ignored and they want the development (in a low-impact manner).

The good thing is that papers like this one, in eastern cities are finally beginning to mention that tribes other than the Gwinch'in exist, which they hadn't heretofore.

[Free the USA]

bttt

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Much of the livelyhood of the Gwich'in is provided by federal and state entitlement programs.

Bump!

[Cincinatus' Wife]

The good thing is that papers like this one, in eastern cities are finally beginning to mention that tribes other than the Gwinch'in exist, which they hadn't heretofore.

Bump!