pro ANWR drilling

“I'm not in this one, but post away.”

“K... I posted.
Now what?
/o:”

“The U.S. government's main concern in this issue is supply. Whether it makes revenue from this drilling is, it seems to me, a small issue.

Here's what I'd like to see. Drive a hard bargain with the oil companies for royalties on the stuff. Then devote all of the money to purchasing and maintaining public lands in areas that don't have so much - eastern 48.

I don't think that aesthetics are always a good indication of habitat value and I assume that there is a way to get the oil without unduly burdening the surrounding wildlife. While I'd hate to see roads and pipes in Alaska, I'd love to see a new big wild area near my house.

Boom - more supply, more hiking.”

“Ditto, Reformed Lurker.”

“In most areas, the Feds get at least a 12.5% royalty. This is on gross revenue, before expenses. Then, at the end of the year, they get income tax also. Isn't that enough already?

It isn't the oil company's fault that the feds can't limit their beauracratic spending.”

“This is public land - the ANWR. If the oil companies aren't willing to pay, then they shouldn't play.

I'm not against the oil companies profiting. They should make money off the deal. But a national treasure should only be sacrificed for a high price.”

“If they do open the ANWR, I wonder how many times the really wacko people are going to try and bomb it or shoot at the workers. I don't mind people voicing their opinion, but those kind of people just go too far.”

“Hey, who wants to help me bomb and shoot at the worke....oops!”

“Since the ANWR is public land and I'm the public, then I want my piece of the 12.5% royalty. Why bother with the Fed middlemen, just send mine to me.”