ANWR Bugaboo

This whole issue should be resolved by the fact that Ted Stevens continues to be elected by the people of Alaska and he has been championing ANWR drilling since 1980. The electorate knows where he stands and they continue to elect him. The people of Alaska see the long-term gain from increased economic activity (a local benefit) and know the United States will produce more oil domestically (a national benefit). Pipes on the tundra is better than platforms offshore (less damage from, and possibly to, nature). The trappings of offshore drilling were on full display in the gulf coast during this past hurricane season. The positives outweigh the negatives here.