Environmental Issues

The environment has an enormous impact on the Alaskan identity, economy, and political landscape. Issues arising from the management, conservation and preservation of the state’s natural resources are often the subject of much debate- not only in Alaska. This section provides an insight into two aspects of oil development in Alaska: the development of petroleum resources and dealing with the aftermath of an oil spill. Both of these issues are described and links to different viewpoints about them are given. Users are advised to examine and evaluate all of these sources thoroughly for their missions, viewpoints, and agendas regarding the topic. We don't endorse either viewpoint.

Oil

The discovery of petroleum reserves in Prudhoe Bay in northern Alaska in the late sixties began an era of diverse, often heated debate over the future and development of Alaska’s oil resources. The grounding of the Exxon Valdez tanker led to one of the most well known man-made environmental disasters in history. Below are sites that have information concerning this event and its aftermath.

Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Trusteeship Council

http://www.evostc.state.ak.us

This organization was established with settlement funds the state of Alaska received from the legal settlement with the Exxon Oil Company. The EVOSC uses this money to help in repairing damage to the affected ecosystem and to monitor the progress of continuing restoration efforts.
Q & A

Exxon Mobil Corporation

http://www2.exxonmobil.com/corporate/

This site is the homepage of the Exxon Mobil Corporation, owners of the Exxon Valdez. Information on the oil spill, damages paid, and legal issues can be found here. Much of it is in the way of public corporate statements and news releases.
Q & A

Drilling in the Artic National Wildlife

The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR), located in northern Alaska, has been the subject of heated debate as to whether or not her petroleum reserves should be developed. Below are two opposing camps.

Defenders of Wildlife

http://www.savearcticrefuge.org/

Defenders of Wildlife, the sponsors of this site, have as their mission, “…the protection of all native wild animals and plants in their natural habitats.” This is a targeted site in response to proposed drilling in ANWR. Firmly opposed, the site offers information presenting their anti-drilling position.
Q & A

Arctic Power

http://www.anwr.org/

This site, entitled Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, is sponsored by Arctic Power, a non-profit citizen's organization established, “…to expedite congressional and presidential approval of oil exploration and production within the Coastal Plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.”
Q & A

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Photograph obtained from the USGS Earth Science Photographic Archive at http://libraryphoto.er.usgs.gov/startlib.htm. It is copyright free.
Last Updated: May 11, 2005