Fyi who has how many icebreakers
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- Plan increases Arctic exploration and development for oil – it’ll be safe
- Drilling in the Artic dramatically increases the world supply of oil, creates jobs, and decreases oil prices
- High oil prices prohibit international trade of perishables
- Even a small change in food prices will causes starvation of billions
Adv - DrillingMore ice-breakers are a pre-requisite to licensing more drilling operations in the ArcticBerwyn 12 (Bob Expedition2010org Writer. “Report: More safeguards needed for Arctic oil drilling BEFORE DRILLING” Febuary 4, 2012 http://expedition2010org.blogspot.com/2012/02/report-more-safeguards-needed-for.html accessed on 6/28/12 SA With oil drilling activities in the American Arctic on the horizon, concerns are mounting about the lack emergency response capabilities, as well as information about environmental conditions in the area. A new report by the Center for American Progress highlights some of those concerns, pointing out that several federal agencies have called for more studies of baseline environmental conditions. Oil spill cleanup experts also say more resources are needed for the U.S. Coast Guard to fulfill its mission in the region. The report also explains that even the well-developed infrastructure and abundance of trained personnel in the Gulf of Mexico couldn’t prevent the Deepwater Horizon tragedy — and the country’s Arctic response capabilities pale by comparison. Drilling for oil in the Arctic should not be pursued without adequate safeguards in place. If the Deepwater Horizon disaster had any lessons to offer, it’s that the importance of preparedness cannot be overstated. That’s why the report strongly recommend specific actions be taken by the federal government, by Congress, and by Shell and other companies before beginning exploratory drilling in the Arctic. Recommendations in the report include: Ensure adequate response capabilities are in place before drilling operations commence Require and oversee oil spill response drills in the Arctic that prove the assertions made in company drilling plans prior to plan approval Engage other Arctic nations in developing an international oil spill response agreement that includes an Arctic Ocean drilling management plan Appropriate adequate funds for the Coast Guard to carry out its mission in the Arctic, including increasing our icebreaking capability Significantly increase the liability cap (currently $75 million) for oil companies in violation of drilling safety rules Plan increases Arctic exploration and development for oil – it’ll be safeTreadwell 6/24 (Mead, Alaska Dispatch, 6.24.12, “Tapping Alaska’s Arctic oil is a must for America”, http://www.alaskadispatch.com/article/tapping-alaskas-arctic-oil-must-america) America needs to say “yes” to new Arctic oil. In election-year debates, facts and sound science are often left behind. This is what’s now happening in conversations about offshore resource development in northern Alaska. Some would like us to believe it’s too risky to safely explore the 21 billion barrels of potential oil in these seas. They argue we should forget about resources that are nearly a quarter of our known, technically recoverable, outer continental shelf resources. Instead, they argue, we should remain dependent on imported oil. But people who pay attention to science and experience are confident of this: The Beaufort and Chukchi seas can be safely explored. Every Arctic Ocean coastal state, six including Iceland, has come to the same conclusion. The oil industry has already invested hundreds of millions of dollars in emergency planning. Myriad measures recommended by the National Oil Spill Commission are being put in place, including state-of-the-art capping stacks, 24-hour icebreaker support and a recessed wellhead resilient to cold water challenges. In addition to these on-site measures, redundant operations and around-the-clock support from the private sector and federal government agencies will be available for any emergency situation. Arctic nations are also negotiating a mutual aid pact. Alaska, too, has been hard at work making safety preparations. We’re investing in research and science, working specifically with the U.S. Arctic Research Commission. We’re also seeking to form international agreements on preparation and response through the Arctic Council. Detractors ignore these plans. They disregard objective scientific analysis and improved technological capabilities. They accentuate remote risk. They deny the evidence of Alaska’s knowledge and skill in resource development — achievements that can lead to great reward for the rest of the nation. While some are busy fear-mongering, others are taking note of the extensive safety preparation that has gone into plans for offshore development. Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Robert Papp has stated his belief that both the industry and the Coast Guard are ready for the task. “[Shell] truly did their homework, I believe,” Papp said, “and I think they are going to be well prepared.” Papp, in his 2012 State of the Coast Guard address, noted the arsenal of aircraft, marine vessels and highly proficient crew that will be at the ready in the Arctic. In addition, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management has “found no evidence that the proposed action would significantly affect the quality of the human environment.” Coastal communities will be protected, while the whole nation benefits. Alaska Gov. Sean Parnell last year joined a coalition of coastal state governors seeking to work more effectively with the federal government on offshore exploration and resource development. An alliance of public and private officials, representing a majority of Alaska’s 340,000 workers, has urged President Barack Obama to move ahead with outer continental shelf development. The issue is vital for Alaska and the United States. If Alaskan resources aren’t developed, the trans-Alaska pipeline system, one of our nation’s most important energy infrastructure assets, may be forced to close because of cold-weather challenges brought by low throughput. The pipeline is now running at less than one-third capacity. The stakes couldn’t be higher for our economy, our national security and our citizens. The good news is that by harnessing American ingenuity and technical skill, and by relying on solid science and experience, we can overcome challenges and reap a promising future. Now we just need federal leadership to act — for America’s economy, our energy and our national security. Alaska could return to being the nation’s top oil producer. While I’ll fill my North Dakotan colleague’s dinner plate with salmon this time, let’s make sure we refill the Alaska pipeline for America’s future. Drilling in the Artic dramatically increases the world supply of oil, creates jobs, and decreases oil pricesBaker 1 (Dean, September 4th 2001)( HOT AIR OVER THE ARCTIC? AN ASSESSMENT OF THE WEFA STUDY OF THE ECONOMIC IMPACT OF OIL DRILLING IN THE ARCTIC NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE, http://www.cepr.net/documents/publications/anwr_2001_09.pdfCENTER FOR ECONOMIC AND POLICY RESEARCH With these estimates of supply and demand elasticity and updated estimates of the potential production in the Arctic Refuge, it is possible to estimate the reduction in oil prices that will result from opening the Refuge to oil production. As noted earlier, the most recent estimates from the EIA imply that the oil from the Refuge will increase world supply by 1.15 percent at its peak production level in 2015. Using the supply and demand elasticities discussed above, this would imply a decline in world oil prices of approximately 2.7 percent. This price impact is slightly more than one fourth the 10.5 percent price decline estimated in WEFA’s base high production scenario, and just less than half the 5.6 percent price decline estimated in the base low production scenario.
Lester, founded Earth Policy Institute, where he now serves as president. Beyond the oil Peak, The Globalist. May 24, http://www.theglobalist.com/StoryId.aspx?StoryId=5333 Air freight may be hit even harder, perhaps leading to an absolute decline. One of the early casualties of rising oil prices could be the use of jumbo jets to transport fresh produce from the southern hemisphere to industrial countries during the northern winter. The price of fresh produce out of season may simply become prohibitive. High Oil prices will raise the cost of food and create competition between affluent motorist and low-income food consumersBrown 6 Lester, founded Earth Policy Institute, where he now serves as president. Beyond the oil Peak, The Globalist. May 24, http://www.theglobalist.com/StoryId.aspx?StoryId=5333 The food sector will be affected in two ways. Food will become more costly as higher oil prices drive up production costs. As oil costs rise, diets will be altered as people move down the food chain and as they consume more local, seasonally produced food. Diets will thus become more closely attuned to local products and more seasonal in nature. At the same time, rising oil prices will also be drawing agricultural resources into the production of fuel crops, either ethanol or biodiesel. Higher oil prices are thus setting up competition between affluent motorists and low-income food consumers for food resources, presenting the world with a complex new ethical issue. Even a small change in food prices will causes starvation of billionsEarth Policy Institute 2004 http://www.earth-policy.org/Books/Out/index.htm “Outgrowing the Earth: The Food Security Challenge in an Age of Falling Water Tables and Rising Temperatures” For the 3 billion people who live on 2 dollars a day or less and who spend up to 70 percent of their income on food, even a modest rise in food prices can quickly become life-threatening. For them, it is the next meal that is the overriding concern. Directory: file -> view view -> Western Europe after wwii view -> Author study: paul fleischman view -> Qpa1 7ela study Guide view -> Arctic Oil/Gas Neg view -> November 1970 Approximately 150,000-500,000 deaths Bhola Cyclone Bangladesh view -> Grade Level: 6 Unit of Study: Caribbean glce view -> Citation: Duffield, Katy view -> Table of Contents Lesson # view -> Chinese Wind Energy Disad Download 0.8 Mb. Share with your friends:
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