Good for the goose, bad for the gander.

• Author: Cutler, Debbie
• Position: From the Editor

ONE HUNDRED DOLLAR A BARREL OIL!

Some never thought it would happen, others cite it as the end of the U.S. economy, still others worry about our dependency on foreign oil, while yet others have said it will bring on World War III.

It's true, U.S. consumption of oil is increasing, while U.S. oil production is on the decline. It's true, Alaska consumption of oil is increasing, while Alaska oil production is on the decline.

Action is called for, and that time is now. By exploring and producing our oil reserves here in Alaska, the result will be more stability and national security.

AN EAGLE'S CRY

Alaska still has an abundance of oil. When oil hit $100 per barrel for the first time in history, shortly after the arrival of the new year, I can only assume oil companies here, the U.S. and abroad were giving high-fives, while consumers were scowling. What's good for the goose, isn't necessarily good for the gander.

According to a press release from U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, the U.S. is importing about 12 million barrels of oil a day to supply the U.S. demand of 21 million barrels a day.

"By 2030, we will need to import 15 million to 17 million barrels a day as our domestic production drops," she stated. "That means this nation will be dependent on foreign sources for close to 70 percent of the oil we consume each day."

SO WHAT ABOUT ALASKA?

According to the U.S. Geological Survey and the U.S. Minerals Management Service, technically recoverable resources in the state are 53 billion barrels of oil. This is in addition to known remaining oil resources of 6 billion barrels, according the Department of Natural Resources. Alaska, to date, has only produced about 15 billion barrels of oil, about one-fourth of the potential 76 billion barrels. Why not use our resources?

WHY NOT?

Sen. Murkowski stated that opening up just 100th of 1 percent of the Arctic National...