Peg: are there studies that show a detrimentale effect on wildlife and the ecology to the "Slope" since oil exploration began there many years ago? Just asking for information, not to start a war.

Toadfrog: thanks for your input.

CarolC: I did not mean to imply that the sole solution to the problem can be found by drilling in Alaska. Obviously, we have to learn to conserve energy more, and learn to be satisfied with vehicles that burn less fuel, and content ourselves in our homes where temperatures are not as cool as we might like in summer, or warm as we might like in winter. These, however, are long-term fixes. We need to be more accepting of nucuelar power plants (we have one in Arizona), solar energy and other sources to supply us with our needs also.

I do understand the repulsion strict conservationists feel for drilling in that pristine area of Alaska. But I ask again, how many people will ever see those areas? Possibly the wildlife in the area will suffer, but which is the most important? The preservation of the wildlife in that small section of Alaska, or the filling of the energy needs of people?

Now that, I'm sure will get me in hot water!

DougR