Bachmann: ANWR is the ‘most perfect place on the planet to drill’

This article was about Michele Bachmann’s claim that ANWR was a “perfect place” for drilling. The tongue-in-cheek reference to “Iraq, Russia and Venezuela” as other potential “perfect places” acknowledges the political realities that make these, and many other oil rich locales like China, Nigeria and Iran, most imperfect. I didn’t respond because you took umbrage with a line that flew over your head.

Nowhere in this article is the value of oil as an energy resource questioned or opined upon. I’m happy for you and your opinions on what makes a for a suitable drilling site (though those the oil industry doesn’t share that opinion due to the fact that there are many deposits of oil too small or too inaccessible to be profitable.) No, this article is about the simple fact that there is no such thing as a “perfect place” to drill for oil, just as there is no “perfect” alternative energy source.

Off the coast, ANWR, NDak, and anywhere else there are proven reserves. Right in the middle of Nicollet Mall if theres a couple million barrels underneath. Like I mentioned above, we need to become energy independant. Relying on nations such as those I listed to support our oil reserves though is atrocious. The other thing I’m curious about is the dodge of my question. “These are the kinds of people you want to deal with and hand over your cash to? Or would you rather employ Americans, keep our money in our country, and not worry about falling prey to some misguided country who has nothing but contempt for us?”

Debating with individuals who don’t want to drill anywhere is difficult. Most, and I am including you, have this “nimby” attitude but all the while drive to work. The fact is is this country relies on oil for our energy needs and to drive our economy. The worlds economy relies on our economy also. So what do you want to do? Return the world to the stone age or continue to press on with technological advances and engineering miracles?

Its a direct quote from a broadcast appearance, and it’s patently false. I’m not sure where in your lengthy response you’re making a direct criticism, but to suggest I’m trying to fool readers by using quotes from the EIA report which I provided a direct link to seems a bit off. I’m glad you read the EIA report, now whether you think 0.4% in 2030 makes ANWR worth opening to drilling is up to you.

And thank you, by the way, for enumerating the reasons why Iraq, Russia and Venezuela might not be “perfect” places to drill. Perhaps when you come across that “perfect place to drill,” you can let me know and I’ll update the story appropriately (and remove the tongue that is firmly planted in my cheek).

Well done Tom, taking one tiny snippet out of the whole article. Here’s what most in this country either don’t know or don’t understand. We are overly reliant on imported energy. We needed to start years ago with regards to alternative energy (besides ethanol which is a pathetic joke) meaning, wind, solar, nuclear, coal and petroleum. There is no balance currently. Regarding the EIA’s paper and I quote “With respect to the world oil price impact, projected ANWR oil production constitutes between 0.4 and 1.2 percent of total world oil consumption in 2030, based on the low and high resource cases, respectively. Consequently, ANWR oil production is not projected to have a large impact on world oil prices.” Did you look at the rise of consumption? Did you read the following paragraph ( High oil prices and high Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards are projected to restrain the growth in future U.S. liquid fuels consumption. In the AEO2008 reference case, total U.S. liquid fuels consumption grows slowly from 20.7 million barrels per day in 2006 to 22.8 million barrels per day in 2030. (btw, our population is predicted to hit 400m by 2030) Lower projected U.S. liquid fuels consumption results in ANWR oil production causing a larger percentage reduction in future oil and liquid product imports than was the case in prior ANWR analyses conducted by EIA.) or are you just trying to fool your readers? Another quote from your story: “Other potential “most perfect places to drill” are located in Iraq, Russia and Venezuela.” Iraq is still in a state of war in the most hostile place on the planet. Remember, at one time Iran was a solid ally of ours. So solid in fact we sold to them exclusively the F14 fighter At the time of sale, this fighter dominated the skies. Russia… ’nuff said. Venezuela. Hmmm, a despotic thug trying to absolutely bring to ruin his once thriving country and is also doing his best to poison every country around him through his wealth generated from oil sales. These are the kinds of people you want to deal with and hand over your cash to? Or would you rather employ Americans, keep our money in our country, and not worry about falling prey to some misguided country who has nothing but contempt for us?

Well done Tom, taking one tiny snippet out of the whole article. Here's what most in this country either don't know or don't understand. We are overly reliant on imported energy. We needed to start years ago with regards to alternative energy (besides ethanol which is a pathetic joke) meaning, wind, solar, nuclear, coal and petroleum. There is no balance currently. Regarding the EIA's paper and I quote “With respect to the world oil price impact, projected ANWR oil production constitutes between 0.4 and 1.2 percent of total world oil consumption in 2030, based on the low and high resource cases, respectively. Consequently, ANWR oil production is not projected to have a large impact on world oil prices.” Did you look at the rise of consumption? Did you read the following paragraph ( High oil prices and high Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards are projected to restrain the growth in future U.S. liquid fuels consumption. In the AEO2008 reference case, total U.S. liquid fuels consumption grows slowly from 20.7 million barrels per day in 2006 to 22.8 million barrels per day in 2030. (btw, our population is predicted to hit 400m by 2030) Lower projected U.S. liquid fuels consumption results in ANWR oil production causing a larger percentage reduction in future oil and liquid product imports than was the case in prior ANWR analyses conducted by EIA.) or are you just trying to fool your readers? Another quote from your story: “Other potential “most perfect places to drill” are located in Iraq, Russia and Venezuela.” Iraq is still in a state of war in the most hostile place on the planet. Remember, at one time Iran was a solid ally of ours. So solid in fact we sold to them exclusively the F14 fighter At the time of sale, this fighter dominated the skies. Russia… 'nuff said. Venezuela. Hmmm, a despotic thug trying to absolutely bring to ruin his once thriving country and is also doing his best to poison every country around him through his wealth generated from oil sales. These are the kinds of people you want to deal with and hand over your cash to? Or would you rather employ Americans, keep our money in our country, and not worry about falling prey to some misguided country who has nothing but contempt for us?

Its a direct quote from a broadcast appearance, and it's patently false. I'm not sure where in your lengthy response you're making a direct criticism, but to suggest I'm trying to fool readers by using quotes from the EIA report which I provided a direct link to seems a bit off. I'm glad you read the EIA report, now whether you think 0.4% in 2030 makes ANWR worth opening to drilling is up to you.

And thank you, by the way, for enumerating the reasons why Iraq, Russia and Venezuela might not be “perfect” places to drill. Perhaps when you come across that “perfect place to drill,” you can let me know and I'll update the story appropriately (and remove the tongue that is firmly planted in my cheek).

Off the coast, ANWR, NDak, and anywhere else there are proven reserves. Right in the middle of Nicollet Mall if theres a couple million barrels underneath. Like I mentioned above, we need to become energy independant. Relying on nations such as those I listed to support our oil reserves though is atrocious. The other thing I'm curious about is the dodge of my question. “These are the kinds of people you want to deal with and hand over your cash to? Or would you rather employ Americans, keep our money in our country, and not worry about falling prey to some misguided country who has nothing but contempt for us?”

Debating with individuals who don't want to drill anywhere is difficult. Most, and I am including you, have this “nimby” attitude but all the while drive to work. The fact is is this country relies on oil for our energy needs and to drive our economy. The worlds economy relies on our economy also. So what do you want to do? Return the world to the stone age or continue to press on with technological advances and engineering miracles?

This article was about Michele Bachmann's claim that ANWR was a “perfect place” for drilling. The tongue-in-cheek reference to “Iraq, Russia and Venezuela” as other potential “perfect places” acknowledges the political realities that make these, and many other oil rich locales like China, Nigeria and Iran, most imperfect. I didn't respond because you took umbrage with a line that flew over your head.

Nowhere in this article is the value of oil as an energy resource questioned or opined upon. I'm happy for you and your opinions on what makes a for a suitable drilling site (though those the oil industry doesn't share that opinion due to the fact that there are many deposits of oil too small or too inaccessible to be profitable.) No, this article is about the simple fact that there is no such thing as a “perfect place” to drill for oil, just as there is no “perfect” alternative energy source.

The most perfect place to drill is directly thru Bachman's skull into her obviously abcessed mind. What were her constituents thinking of when they elected her to office? Those who voted for her ought to be shown to the gates of hades immediately. bachman gives a bad name to Luddites.

Hmmm, sounds a little threatening to me John. And since I DID vote for her, what category do you place me in. You know, since I've been on this site, I've been impressed by the dialogue, especially since it's been pretty civil. You Sir, need a lesson in civility and need to learn to respect the opinion of others. Lastly, you need to pay better attention to fact. Spelling her name incorrectly makes you look like the “Luddite”, sir.