The calculus is whether it's better to use currently existing infrastructure (pipelines, ports, nearby refineries, existing supertankers) or create entirely new infrastructure to support drilling in ANWR. Which would include housing for the builders of the wells and pipelines and their necessary support needs. Roads to the drilling sites. Trucking all the supplies and equipment up there which will increase demand for the fuel for the trucks (Y'know that whole supply/demand thing). Why go through all that trouble/risk/expense?
I like what Gutfeld has to say about this kind of false dichotomy; “the prison of 2 ideas” and that the choice must be binary. We must either do one thing 100% or that thing 0 percent and another thing 100%.
Maybe I understand either wrongly, or differently but I thought we had infrastructure in place or close by to ANWR, but even if we don’t, it’s not that big of a deal. One of my brewing buddies does this for his full time job. They’ve become quite good bringing in people, equipment and necessities, doing the job, packing up and leaving. You ask why go to the trouble, and I counter with why not?
Where did you find the information to form your opinion about ANWR being a bad representation of man?
So that’s a misquote. What I said was:
"First, ANWR is the very definition of interference from man, and singularly the worst representation of man; government."
ANWR exists at the behest of government. it is, by its very existence interference from man. You can argue the merits of such interference and the nobility of purpose, but it is interference from man and as I said the most poor representation of the species. Government workers.
Your second point is more problematic. We are becoming awash in polluted water, food and products. Do a search on 'fracking contaminated groundwater'.
We are quoting past each other, and really just arguing. I disagree with your assertion.
Your next point about industries being devoted to ensuring spills don't happen is also a bit problematic. I don't doubt that they exist, the question is will their equipment be used? Oil drilling is a profit-driven industry. Anything that increases the cost of production will be avoided, including safety equipment. Otherwise they'll have to either reduce profit (won't happen) or raise prices at the wholesale level (not likely to happen,, and isn't that what we're trying to avoid?). So...unless they're REQUIRED to use that safety equipment they're not going to do it out of their sense of altruism. Or are you...suggesting increased regulation of the industry to require that equipment be used IF they drill in ANWR?
Oil is a profit driven industry and getting sued definitely cuts into profits, whether or not the suit is successful. So even a relatively benign spill means there’s going to be a payout. So, these safety companies make their money helping to ensure as many obvious issues that can be avoided, are avoided.
Altruism and profit align in this regard. While it may cost money to have the safety crews around and following their recommendations definitely cost money, it’s less money than even a minor accident.
I do get your point that some will cut corners and not follow procedures for best practices. These people / companies are the exception, not the rule.
Oil, crude, Texas Tea, black gold, whatever you want to call it isn’t the boogeyman.