KOA's Rosen again declared drilling "would have little or no impact" on ANWR
Summary: Mike Rosen of Newsradio 850 KOA claimed that oil drilling in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge "would have little or no impact" on the refuge, but failed to mention that the U.S. Department of the Interior has stated that the region where drilling would occur "is the most biologically productive part of the Arctic Refuge for wildlife and is the center of wildlife activity."
Newsradio 850 KOA's Mike Rosen asserted on his May 9 broadcast that drilling for oil in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) "would have little or no impact on the Alaskan wildlife reserve," but omitted that the federal government has stated that the 1.5 million-acre 1002 Area coastal region targeted for oil drilling "is the most biologically productive part" of ANWR.
Rosen similarly claimed on March 27 that drilling in ANWR "is not going to affect wildlife," as Colorado Media Matters pointed out.
From the May 9 broadcast of Newsradio 850 KOA's The Mike Rosen Show:
ROSEN: It costs billions to explore, discover, extract, and transport oil. It takes a lot of lead time as well. Congress has for decades refused to permit the extraction of vast oil reserves in ANWR despite the fact that it would have little or no impact on the Alaskan wildlife reserve. In addition, Congress has declared 85 percent of the nation's coastal offshore areas off-limits to any exploration for oil or natural gas. And we should also note that governments own three-quarters or more of proven oil reserves. That's worldwide.
According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's website about ANWR:
The 1002 Area, 1.5 million acres of the refuge's coastal plain, has long been a subject of controversy. The area includes habitat important to the Porcupine and Central Arctic Caribou Herds, as well as many other species. It may also contain significant quantities of oil and gas. In 1980, the U.S. Congress mandated studies of the petroleum potential and biological resources of the area. Today, the refuge conducts ongoing biological studies of the 1002 Area as the development debate continues.
Further, according to the "Final Legislative Environmental Impact Statement" issued by the U.S. Department of the Interior to Congress in April 1987, "The 1002 area is the most biologically productive part of the Arctic Refuge for wildlife and is the center of wildlife activity." The assessment continued:
It serves as an important calving ground for the Porcupine caribou herd; it contains a high percentage of the refuge's observed muskoxen range; it is an important fall staging area for lesser snow geese; it provides nesting habitat for waterfowl and shorebirds; and it is frequently used by denning polar bears from the Beaufort Sea population. Migrating caribou and the postcalving caribou offer an extraordinary spectacle. The area presents many opportunities for scientific study of a relatively undisturbed ecosystem.
—C. H.
to listen to this audio clip
Comments (5) Show
1 - 5 |
What a load of crap, "vast oil reserves in ANWAR". This loud mouth really doesn't know a tenth of what he thinks he knows. The great Mikey is a load of partisan nonsense and skilled liar. The "vast reserves" this jerk claims we need would last about 6 months satisfying the total daily oil needs of the US economy. It would take 10 years or more to get the oil flowing. It would do nothing to lower the price of fuel. This is the crap the Republican losers are using claiming the Democrats are responsible for the increase in gas prices because they opposed drilling in ANWAR. They live in a dream world and are going to receive a rude awakening from the voters come November. So much for Mikey and his hot air.
Reality has little or no impact on the puny nerve bundle that passes for Rosen's brain. Perhaps a result of misguided, exploratory drilling? Certainly not a "gusher"
Mike Rosen of Newsradio 850 KOA claimed that oil drilling in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge "would have little or no impact" on the refuge...
Hey, I'VE got an idea - since Rosen is so gung-ho about getting ANWR drilled up, how about making it a requirement that before they drill a singel well in ANWR, that have to put a drilling rig in Rosen's back yard that runs 24/7???
I agree with Mike Rosen's comments. We live in a world with limited resources. This has become abundantly clear over the last three years as gas prices have risen approximately 3 fold. One of the benefits of this rise in gas prices is that it forced all of us to be more conscientious about how we use oil and what lifestyle choices we make. If what I've herd (and remember for that matter) is correct, gas usage has even fallen on the order of 3-4% since last year.
However, lifestyle changes, especially energy usage, is never a quick process to adjust. People have housing decisions, job locations and car choices that can not be modified easily. Thus, regardless of the intention of the individual now, they are forced to spend a more significant portion of their income on gas and energy. From a strict economics perspective this not only reduces their buying power but also slows down their ability to make life changing decisions that might reduce their dependence on oil because they have fewer resources in which to make those changes.
By opening up drilling on federal lands, the supply of oil would increase pushing the cost of oil down. Because gas will not go down significantly, say$1.00 - 0.50, there will still be a significant incentive to reduce oil usage. One just pushes back the increases in oil prices to make it more in tune with America's ability to change lifestyle decisions on a mass scale.
Obviously this is a trade off, environment sanctuaries for reduced economic strain. In my opinion, most Americans would opt for reduced gas prices.
Nice try. Truth be told, and rosey knows it, is that the Saudis won't up production because they don't have to. Bush and the oilies LOSE when fuel goes down. Would bush threaten to cut arms supplies unless the Saudis up production? No, 'cause bush and the arms merchants LOSE tax money going into their pockets if we reduce arms sales. ANWR the answer? Grow up. First of all, BOOF hit it dead center when he said it'll take too long to get it online. Secondly, the reds are looking to loot Iran's oil before they overthrow their tyrant. No, you don't have to look past greed on this one. Had enough republican grift yet? If so, use your head in November.
1 - 20 |