Never ever opening ANWR because the bunny huggers might attack is foolish.

I have a few points on the subject and feel I should reveal that I am a lifelong Alaskan. Here in Alaska we see things a bit differently. We take great pride in our stewardship of our Natural Resources that include world class pristine fisheries - wildlife conservation and yes of course OIL. It's no coincidence that two of Alaska's largest sources of revenue and growth are derived from tourism AND oil - both directly related to Alaska's natural resources.

1. ANWR isn't just about oil my friends, there are vast stores of NATURAL GAS which is a byproduct of drilling for oil. NATURAL GAS which is clean, efficient and yes they can actually convert trucks to run on it (the Alaska North Slope Oil Producers have converted all their vehicles to natural gas because it doesn't have to run contantly in -50 F weather like diesel does). Ask your friends and neighbors if they would rather heat their homes with natural gas or home heating oil (aka diesel) - I promise you the price of natural gas is far more stable than diesel today.

2. The largest source of oil right now in North America, per most oil economists, resides in the Oil Sands of Alberta Canada. These Sands in Alberta Canada NEED Natural Gas to extract the oil from the sand - oil which could have a significant impact on overall supply in the North America.

Relatively speaking - the proximity to Alaska's vast Natural Gas and Alberta's Oil Sands - is a gift from the oil gods. The potentially mutually beneficial economics of Alaska's Natural Gas and Alberta's Oil Sands doesn't create aboslute energy independence but a relationship with Canada is a big improvement over than the one we have with Middle Eastern Nations.

As we speak the Alaska's North Slope oil producers (BP & Conoco Phillips) are in the midst of joint-planning to construct North America's largest private construction project ever - a natural gas pipeline to Alberta from Alaska's North Slope - intended to provide the natural gas needed to extract the oil from those sands.

3. Alaska is an economically robust state because of its PUBLIC OWNERSHIP of its resources - punishing this economic growth because it is derived from oil is self defeating. So states are only allowed to profit from politically correct industries? By that argument California should be forced to shut down its porn film industry.

Today Alaska is forced by federal law to send the bulk of its oil to the Port of Los Angeles for refinement and delivery to the West Coast. This is market interference by the federal government - we can freely trade plastic goods with China but not oil? Where then does China get its oil - the Sudan, Iran or Russia?

Why is Alaska (by federal law) limited to sending a mere 13% of its production to Asia - arguably the highest bidder and fastest growing market of oil? Instead of consuming the oil doesn't it make more sense to sell ours to the highest bidder - even if it isn't the U.S.?

4. Because ANWR are federal lands - besides the oil supply entering the market, (admittedly slight and more long term than short) the federal government would earn TAX REVENUE from that production.

Federal Tax Revenue that could offset the staggering deficit and/or personal income taxes - might not be immediate - but better late than never.

Does anyone seriously think that Alaskans on the whole want to trash our state just for profit? Look deeper into the actual practices of directional drilling and specifically arctic construction practices - they are in reality a lot less impactful than the Sierra Club would have you believe.