[Looking for Diogenes]

Agreed.

The priority in Alaska should be the National Strategic Petroleum Reserve, which was set aside for just this reason. I'd like to see the ANWR left untapped until it's our last oil. We've got to hold something back for the future.

[stalin]

Good to hear from another pragmatic person on this site. It's not a matter of ideology. It's a matter of common sence. We shouldn't use our reserves as long as we can get somone elses relatively cheaply.

I don't mind drilling ANWAR some day when oil is $500 a barrel but to use up our recources now is foolish.

[RightWhale]

National Strategic Petroleum Reserve, which was set aside for just this reason

The Naval Petroleum Reserve was set aside for WW I. Once that war was over, NPR was allowed to lapse. It was re-instated for WW II. The purpose is that the Navy might have enough coal and oil to power its ships.

It was never intended for domestic consumption. That should never be considered.