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A Republican Warns Against Drilling
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Published: July 2, 2008
Americans are, with good reason, angry at the price they pay for gasoline. Not only are many getting hit hard at the pump, but the high price of oil is also affecting the price of food and other essential commodities.
Unfortunately, some find it easy to take advantage of these hardships. These misguided leaders are capitalizing on the high price of gasoline by suggesting that lifting the prohibitions against drilling would solve all our problems.
They are obsessed with drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and are dead set on reversing the decades-old federal moratorium against drilling off the Outer Continental Shelf. Former Speaker Newt Gingrich, for example, has been trumpeting his slogan: "Drill Here, Drill Now, Pay Less." The implication is that drilling off our coasts and in the Arctic Refuge will immediately reduce oil prices and hence the price at the pump.
In a series of lectures on energy and the environment and as a leader in Congress, I have carefully studied matters related to offshore drilling. In my view, it is the worst option available in our quest to develop energy independence.
It is terribly misleading to suggest that drilling would reduce the price of oil anytime in the near future. At best the oil would come on stream in five to seven years and the impact on our wallets would be minimal. A recent study by the Energy Information Administration found that opening the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to drilling would cut gasoline prices by a few pennies per gallon.
The costs from a potential spill as a result of a severe storm or just plain negligence would be incalculable for our coastal communities. Drilling for more oil means burning more fossil fuels that add to the warming of our planet. We are betraying the trust of future generations with our constant emphasis on drilling for more oil. We must do better. Developing alternative sources of energy and conservation would mean thousands of jobs in science and engineering.
If you believe that drilling off our coasts is the answer, I'll sell you the Brooklyn Bridge or, better yet, those now famous bridges "from nowhere to nowhere" in Alaska.
Hardships need to be addressed - not exploited by giving people false hope. Our history is filled with exploitation for short-term political gain. It happened in 2001 when proponents of drilling told us the California energy crisis would be resolved if only we could drill in Arctic Refuge. But when the government stopped price manipulation and the people of California started conserving more, the crisis was resolved.
Developing energy independence is not a partisan issue. Speaking as a Republican, I fervently hope we will not be led down a path that may benefit oil companies but is so clearly wrong for America.
Thomas B. Evans, Jr. is a former U.S. representative from Delaware and former co-chairman of the Republican National Committee.
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