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HIGH Gas prices: Drill or not to drill? That is the question

By: Nick Wright Dr. Paul Anderson Position Argument April 8, 2013. HIGH Gas prices: Drill or not to drill? That is the question. The Problem: Gas Prices. As of April 10, 2013, the U.S national average for a gallon of gas is at $3.60 (3). Such prices are far too expensive!

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HIGH Gas prices: Drill or not to drill? That is the question

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  1. By: Nick Wright Dr. Paul Anderson Position Argument April 8, 2013 HIGH Gas prices:Drill or not to drill? That is the question

  2. The Problem: Gas Prices • As of April 10, 2013, the U.S national average for a gallon of gas is at $3.60 (3). Such prices are far too expensive! • Prices fluctuate too much • Lack of control over prices • Lack of control over supplies • Dependence on foreign oil supplies • Need to reduce dependence on foreign suppliers (especially Middle East) • They are causing financial stress all around the country. What’s more, American consumers are sick of fluctuating gas prices and they have a negative flow on affect to the rest of the economy, especially those on fixed incomes, the poor, the handicapped, and students.

  3. History of Problem • This chart is from the Journal of General Chemistry, Nov 2009. Gas prices have been climbing higher since 2000.

  4. Who This Effects? • Families • College students • Fixed income people (handicapped, senior citizens) • Transportation of goods

  5. Solution? America Needs to Decide to Become Self-Sufficient In Energy Production. How? • 1. Tap into own energy supplies. E.g. ANWAR, Canada. For years, the controversy to drill for oil in ANWR Alaska has been a heated debate. Given the advancements in technology and our current economic struggles, it's clearly time to give ANWR energy production serious consideration. • 2. Utilize natural gas. US has largest deposits in the world.

  6. Thesis Statement • Price of gas is a complex issue but mostly compounded by dependence on foreign oil. America needs to reduce its dependence on foreign oil. • This can be achieved by fighting for energy independence , and this independence can be achieved by • (1) ANWAR, Alaska has between 5.7 billion and 16 billion barrels oil in reserve. • (2) Utilizing Our Own Oil Reserves Will Create Energy Independence, and reduce dependence on for foreign oil. • (3) utilizing oil reserves in ANWR Alaska, which would not only reduce our need for foreign oil, but also generate thousands of jobs for American workers, make us self sufficient in energy needs. • (4) After proper organization of drilling, this will eventually turn into a source of profit for the government.

  7. Foreshadowing • Drilling in ANWAR • ANWR contains an estimated 10.4 billion barrels of oil that could be used to help lower gasoline prices and strengthen our national security. • It will create tens of thousands of American jobs and, according to estimates, could generate approximately $150 billion to $296 billion in federal revenue over the life of production. • Only makes up 8 percent of the entire Alaskan refuge. Within that, it's estimated that only around 2,000 out of 1.5 billion acres would be necessary to access the underground reserves • By accessing these reserves we will reduce our need for oil imports which account for almost one-third of the total U.S. deficit • 1. Demonstrate dependence on Middle East oil supplies • 2. Explain how gas prices are determined • 3. Identify [non- Middle East] oil reserves/supplies. E.g. ANWR. Utilizing oil supplies in ANWR

  8. Failed Solutions… • Raising taxes • Tapping the Strategic Petroleum Reserve • Blocking the construction of the Keystone XL pipeline • Asking Saudi Arabia to produce more oil • Increasing regulations on refiners and their petroleum products • Imposing new fuel economy requirements on cars.

  9. Argument # 1. There are huge oil reserves in ANWAR, Alaska.Not a Waste of Land • Political Activists have been fighting against drilling because it is located on the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR)… • Drilling would only require 8% of the national wildlife refuge area(2). • U.S. Geological Survey studies have suggested that ANWR holds anywhere between 5.7 billion and 16 billion barrels oil (5).

  10. Argument # 2. Utilizing Our Own Oil Reserves Will Create Energy Independence • According to the Institute of Analysis of Global Security, our dependency on oil from other countries is a huge factor in Americas instability in the economy. • The transfer of wealth to oil-producing countries has grown to $1.16 trillion over the past thirty years (6). • Oil imports account for almost one-third of the total U.S. deficit and, hence, are a major contributor to unemployment.  • By drilling in ANWR, America could greatly reduce funds paid out of the country, and increase prosperity in the country.

  11. Argument # 3. It will create nearly a million Jobs in the US Drilling in ANWR could create nearly 736,000 jobs for Americans. • Where the jobs are: • WEFA calculates the breakdown of types of employment • Category • Manufacturing • Mining (incl. oil) • Trade • Services • Construction • FIRE* • Total • Jobs • 128,000 • 84,000 • 225,000 • 145,000 • 135,000 • 19,000 • 736,000 • * Finance, Insurance, Real Estate • Source: Wharton Econometric Forecasting Associates

  12. Argument # 4Become Self Sufficient in Energy Needs, Increase Government Revenue • http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=jldmO4t9dqk • 23:00-25:00min

  13. Opposing Point of View • Harm the environment. • Environmentalists have been claiming for years that drilling in ANWR will up set the eco-system, and destroy wildlife habitats. With proper advancement in technology, and specific guidelines for drilling, drilling will be a beneficial asset to this country. • There Are Other Places to Drill • ANWR isn't our only option for domestic drilling. • This is true, but ANWR holds between 5.7 billion and 16 billion barrels oil in reserve. Capitalizing on this could help America in their attempt to become independent on energy needs.

  14. Conclusion • The time has come to stop being dependant on other countries for oil, when we have ample amounts of resources here in America. • Drilling in ANWR Alaska would… • Lower Gas Prices • Reduce Debt • Create Jobs • Lead to Energy Independence.

  15. Work Cited • Barrasso, John. "Fact: Raising Taxes Won't Lower Gas Prices." Republican Policy Committee. Senate Republican, n.d. Web. 17 Apr. 2013.(4) • Energy Information Administration. "Average Gas Prices." Average Gas Prices. N.p. October 12, 2011. Web. 13 Apr. 2013.(3) • Hastings, Doc. "Forget 10 Years--Drilling ANWR Would Pay Off Right Away." US News. & World Report, n.d. Web. 13 Apr. 2013.(1) • Post, Andy. "ANWR Drilling Benefits Americans." Minnesota Daily. N.p., 17 Apr. 2013. Web. 13 Apr. 2013.(2)

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