Doug,
If I heard that analysis (drilling w/ modern technology does little harm) from independent scientists, I'd give it more credence than when it comes from vested interests. What we know of pipelines and oil/gas transport so far suggests otherwise. Oil spills, gas leaks explode. Drilling in pristine areas is a bit like what the medical profession used to call "defloration" of a virgin. The idea was that once it is done, there is little reason not to exploit further.

To reiterate, oil from ANWAR will not be available for our use for at least 5 years--it won't help in the immediate situation. We COULD be using solar- and wind-generated power sooner than that.

I still see the Bush administration dragging its feet on subsidies for conservation and alternative energy source development. We need to look farther ahead than the end of our noses.

I fear that the real reason for the reluctance to fund fuel cell research, solar, and wind, is the fear that it will be harder for companies to reap huge profits from those technologies than from coal, gas,a nd oi.

Genie