Sen. Lisa Murkowski from Alaska, has introduced legislation that would give access to oil beneath the Arctic refuge's coastal plain through directional drilling from platforms outside the refuge. Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) sits on 11 billion barrels of oil and has been the topic of debate for more than two decades. Drilling here has been prohibited as it is an ecologically sensitive area, which is the refuge for millions of migratory birds, polar bears, caribou and other wildlife. The proposed directional drilling will be from outside the refuge's boundaries which would leave the refuge surface land undisturbed, protecting wildlife.
Though Interior Secretary Ken Salazar said he would consider tapping oil from ANWR by the above method, he is not convinced that directional drilling will pass the test. "The question of whether or not you can do directional drilling without impairing the ecological values of ANWR is an open question. Most of what I've seen up to this point is it would not be possible to do that." Salazar said. He also said that ANWR is one of those special places that need to be protected but directional drilling is an idea that can be discussed due to recent developments in technology.
Though Interior Secretary Ken Salazar said he would consider tapping oil from ANWR by the above method, he is not convinced that directional drilling will pass the test. "The question of whether or not you can do directional drilling without impairing the ecological values of ANWR is an open question. Most of what I've seen up to this point is it would not be possible to do that." Salazar said. He also said that ANWR is one of those special places that need to be protected but directional drilling is an idea that can be discussed due to recent developments in technology.