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CNN Sunday Morning

Mid East Crisis Renews Concerns About U.S. Dependence on Arab Oil

Aired April 14, 2002 - 11:50   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: Well the Middle East crisis has renewed concerns about U.S. dependence on Arab oil. This week, the President once again urged the Senate to allow drilling in Alaska. CNN's Mark Potter take a closer look at the issue and the argument.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MARK POTTER, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): With its rugged mountains and vast coastal plain, the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, known as ANWAR, is one of America's most spectacular and untamed places, still barely touched by man. The size of South Carolina, it's located in Alaska's northeast corner. Once again, ANWAR is the focus of passionate debate about wilderness preservation, energy independence, and the need for oil.

MELINDA PIERCE, SIERRA CLUB: Drilling in the Arctic wilderness will forever destroy this crown jewel of America's wild lands. This is an area that's home to polar bear, caribou, wolves, and we don't believe we should sacrifice this national treasure by offering it up to the oil industry.

TARA SWEENEY, ARCTIC SLOPE REGIONAL CORPORATION: It seems very convenient that the environmental industry has misled the American public and distributed propaganda, rhetoric, to pull on the emotional heartstrings of America.

POTTER: Scientists estimate that anywhere from three billion to 16 billion barrels of recoverable oil may lie beneath ANWAR's coastal plain. Drilling supporters say it's time to explore ANWAR and perhaps reduce America's dependence on Mid East oil.

SWEENEY: We're dependent on the people who are creating terror for America. That's crazy, and if we can produce the oil here on domestic soil, that's one less place that we need to be importing oil from.

POTTER: Environmentalists say most of Alaska's north slope has already been set aside for oil development, and argue that oil from ANWAR's coastal plain will do little to reduce the U.S. need for oil from other countries.

PIERCE: America can't drill its way to energy independence. We sit on less than three percent of the world's oil reserve. As long as we're dependent on oil, we will be dependent on foreign oil.

POTTER: Drilling opponents also argue that exploration and drilling in ANWAR could lead to urban sprawl and disturb wildlife. Those who favor drilling say by working in winter with new technology, they can protect the environment. Alaska's Inupiat Eskimos, who work with the oil industry, say drilling will provide more jobs, noting oil revenues have already vastly improved their lifestyle.

SWEENEY: This is a self-determination issue for the Inupiat people. This is a human rights issue for our people. We want to develop our own resources.

POTTER: But other native Alaskans and environmentalists say ANWAR belongs to all Americans, and the risks of drilling there are just too high, the arguments, once again, passionate. Mark Potter, CNN.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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