This summer, Shell Oil is planning to explore oil drilling options off of Alaska’s northern coast.
“There is so much oil money in Alaska, residents get a check from the state every year instead of paying income tax,” says Richard Harris of NPR. Edward Itta, former mayor of the North Slope Borough, a region highly affected by this plan to drill, has changed his initial stance on the topic. While he understand the importance of protecting the Alaskan landscape, he also argues that the county now has schools, airports and hospitals that weren’t possible before the payouts received from oil companies. Of course, the rest of us should be concerned because the tone set by this specific area of Alaska may be mimicked in future decisions by other oil companies. If we are able to unearth more oil, prices could drop dramatically, or at least we could rely less on foreign oil — a goal America has struggled to reach for quite some time.
However, with the rise of the hybrid and slightly imperfect electric cars, this is the perfect time for Alaskans and all Americans to put the idea of expanding drilling down. America has a large oil reserve, and tapping into our stored oil may be able to hold us over and put pressure on the refinement of alternative fuel or power. Alaskans are feeling the pressure. They have to weigh things like highways and facilities for their kids against damaging their environment and risking oil spills. Ultimately, their decision for wealth or wilderness will impact oil’s future in one way or another.
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