To Drill or Not to Drill? That Is the Question

To Drill or Not to Drill? That Is the Question

Joe Smith

HUM/111

April 3rd, 2010

Jill Fisher

To Drill or Not to Drill? That Is the Question

I agree with both sides arguments regarding the drilling for oil debate. I agree with the President Obama’s agenda to free America from the dependency on foreign oil. We as Americans, and every other person on the planet, should accept the fact that we need to start using clean energy, such as solar power or clean coal. I would honestly have to say that I was all for continuing drilling off the Gulf Coast, Alaska, and other areas within our boarders, just as long as the price of a gallon of gasoline starts to decline sometime in the near future. I can remember when the gas prices started to rise above the normal average in late 2009.

Later that year, the president approved to increase offshore drilling in the Gulf. Then an explosion occurred on an offshore oilrig in 2010 killing and injuring several crewmembers onboard that rig. The explosion also caused extensive damage to the underwater oil pipelines spewing millions of gallons of oil into the Gulf of Mexico and devastated wildlife in the area. In the months following the explosion, the floating oil slick polluted the surrounding ocean life and killed off many species of animals forcing those in the fishing industry to shut down. So many around the world now refer that catastrophic event in the Gulf of Mexico, as the BP oil disaster. There has not been an oil leak of that magnitude since the Exxon Valdez disaster that happened after the ship ran aground.

Scientists are concerned about the drilling for oil on or near any fault lines, because the damage caused by an earthquake along the fault line could have devastating effects on the community and surrounding areas. Currently, in America there are thousands of miles of pipeline that run through this country, with many running along or through fault lines. Today, a large majority of our oil, natural gas and coal...