Experts say the opportunities of drilling in the United States and in offshore coastal areas in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans are endless. The benefits far outweigh the negative aspects of oil drilling. While environmentalists are concerned about wildlife, there has been little effect on caribou in Alaska near areas where there is already drilling. The economists are shaking their heads, wondering why the bans placed by legislative vetoes aren’t lifted because it could open up thousands of badly needed jobs. The energy experts see money saving opportunities too. The positives far outweigh the negatives of oil drilling in the United States.

Money Saving Opportunities for the U.S.

Economists say that the government would receive over $138 billion in tax and revenue by opening up offshore drilling and oil drilling in Alaska. We could save billions of dollars each day on oil that we import from other countries. Oil drilling already taking place in North Dakota, Colorado, Texas and California could cut oil importing from other countries in half over the next ten years, according to oil executives.

Job Opportunities

One of the major benefits of oil drilling in the U.S. is the availability of jobs to those who badly need them. Thousands of people already work in offshore drilling sites, and there are jobs open in oil fields in the west. Experts say that Russia has seen a boost in their economy because of an increase in jobs at oil drilling sites. Employment in the transportation sector will increase because more oil will be transported within the United States. Alaska’s economy, along with the entire U.S economy will improve if the ban were raised in Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, also known as ANWR.

Environmental Impact

While environmentalists are concerned about the land and wildlife, experts say that there is minimal impact on the caribou and other wildlife in Alaska. Already existing oil fields haven’t harmed the caribou. Herds have grown from 3,000 to 32,000 over the past ten years in the Prudhoe Bay Area where drilling has been allowed. Oil drilling in ANWR will take only a percentage of the land that makes up the refuge. Experts also say that oil drilling can help the atmosphere and the aquatic environment because of a decrease in the pressure of the subsurface of the earth.

Oil: One of the Best Sources of Energy

Not only is oil efficient, but it is also easy to transport. The energy crisis would improve drastically if we drilled in the United States and its offshore areas. Banning in offshore areas took effect over 40 years ago (1982) and the Mineral Management Service says there are billions of barrels of oil in these areas. Fuel prices will decrease dramatically, making it more affordable for U.S. citizens to heat their homes and purchase gas for their vehicles.

With all of the benefits available from drilling in the U.S. and offshore areas where bans are in effect, the United States may no longer be dependent on foreign countries for oil. We would save in a multitude of ways. Unemployment would no longer be a concern, allowing the economy to stabilize. Fuel prices would go down and the government could possibly begin digging their way out of debt.