Is drilling in Alaska worth it? This is the question I keep asking myself as I flip through page after page of the November, 2009 issue of The Smithsonian, which cover themselves in breathtaking photographs of Alaska’s landscape. As I continue to turn the pages, my answer becomes clear; No. In my onion, no amount of oil is worth destroying this place. But in the same manor, I realize the importance of this natural resources and the impact its absence could have on our country; especially on this time of war. However, perhaps another option has emerged, one that is not so harmful, and that will help to lower the impact that we have on the Alaskan wilderness. Natural gas is a sound alternative to petroleum, which is found in abundance under Alaskan soil. The use of natural gas would lower environmental impact in the US, and lower the cost of nearly everything in the America.
Though it is hard to believe that the idea that natural gas use can lower costs of nearly everything in the US sounds crazy, it is possible. Because the US does import most of its oil from overseas, mainly from the Middle East, it is very expensive. If we were to begin using our own resources, the cost of oil would become obsolete, as we would no longer be subject to the high cost of foreign oil. It is with good reason that people wish to use our country’s oil supply. This would have the cost lowering effects that we wish to have, but in turn would destroy our country’s beauty, kill our wild life, and have major effects on where people can, and cannot live; as pollution and mining would make some areas uninhabitable. If we decide to use our country’s other natural resources such as natural gas, we could have the same effect, without the destruction.
Last year, America used 19.5 million barrels oil per day (bpd). 19.5 million, and for some reason we think we can import all of this, and not have to worry about it. Out of this 19.5 million bpd, 13 million bpd were used to power cars, even though the technology already exists to power cars on natural gas, technology which is easy to find, use, and install. According to P.C. McKenzie Company, the self proclaimed Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) specialists,” Gasoline-powered vehicles are easily converted by adding CNG components that make natural gas the primary fuel. Storage cylinders are installed either in the trunk of a car or underneath vans or pick-up trucks. Stainless steel lines are run from the tanks to a regulator that will reduce the pressure of the gas stored on-board. The natural gas then passes through a fuel-air mixer and then into the air intake manifold where it is introduced for combustion. A fuel selection switch is installed on the dash to allow the driver to switch between natural gas and gasoline.”\Along with this, CNG is cleaner burning and, unlike petroleum, doesn't come from unfriendly places (greencar.com)
Theses all stand as reasons why we can and should use natural gas as an alternative to oil drilling in Alaska. It would help the environment, and would also help control costs of product.