Northern Exposure: Tapping the Last American Frontier

Mid-March of this year, a quarter-inch pipe rupture caused the second largest oil spill in Alaskan history. Somewhere between 201,000 to 267,000 gallons of British Petroleum-owned crude oil gushed out of the controversial Trans-Alaska Pipeline System (TAPS) onto the Tundra of Prudhoe Bay.

This disaster - along with dozens of others - spotlights the extreme environmental effects of extracting a nonrenewable resource from the last American frontier.

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST

North America's largest oilfield at Prudhoe Bay sits on what was once untouched Alaskan wilderness. We justify this degradation of Alaska's beauty because Prudhoe Bay contributes to twenty percent of U.S. crude oil income.

Practical only in terms of human-use and maximum economic productivity, TAPS compromises the considerations of preservation and environmental safety. Consistent reports since the 1970's have revealed a negative impact on migration and calving patterns, according to testimony presented to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2001 by Kenneth Whitton, a research biologist for the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.

Constructed nearly parallel to the Dalton Highway, the pipeline cuts a neat swath through the center of Alaska. Traveling over hundreds of lakes and rivers, it is typically perched upon Teflon-coated shoes, sometimes on rails so the pipe can slide around during earthquakes. In some places it towers above the caribou that walk in its shadow. In other areas - such as the site of the oil spill - it is buried to allow highway intersections, animal crossings, or to protect against potential avalanches.

While designed to deal with the high incidence of Alaskan seismic activity, TAPS still spans open water and three mountain ranges. In a location by the Denali Fault - one of the largest continental fault lines in the world - the pipeline has already withstood a nearly 8-foot displacement as the result of a 2002 earthquake. TAPS is also highly susceptible to forest fires, not to mention foolish human behavior. The Anchorage Daily News reported in 2001 that a gunshot fired in Livengood - south of Prudhoe Bay - pierced the pipeline, resulting in 70,000 gallons of spillage.

Exploration Alaska - BP's subsidiary in charge of the pipeline - has been fined over $1 million for its poor environmental record. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has finally stepped in and taken a portion of TAPS under its jurisdiction, because state regulations proved ineffective at handling the pollution. It's stunning this took so long, given the initial public outcry of environmental concern. Even at present, for one of our most expensive investments as a nation, such federal supervision is not required.

"CLEAN-UP" UNDERWAY

According to BP's website, cleanup crews of sixty daytime workers and ten night workers are busy attempting to remove oil from the frozen tundra. These crews often run trimmers, grinding up and extracting contaminated surface dirt and plants, effectively removing a chunk off the face of Alaska. As long-term cleanup continues, the weather intercepts to force less effective work. Millions of dollars have been spent on the cleanup thus far.

Despite the time setback, BP is confident the issue has been resolved. However, others see an ongoing problem not so easily fixed. If extraction, transportation and maintenance of oil result in such death and unacceptable loss, it is time to invest in other means of energy. The extent of damage does not coordinate with BP's claims that there will be no lasting impact on the environment. Restoration efforts can be viewed on their website, and it's evident their attempt to fix what has been destroyed is an incomplete process.

LEAVING THEIR MARK

Tundra ecosystems among the most fragile and unique in the world, and the impact of an oil spill is devastating. Because there is a layer of permafrost, or permanently frozen soil, lying just below the surface, the plants and tree species have shallow root networks, spreading runners through the soil to survive. The Alaskan tundra is home to a vivacious amount of plant and animal life, including migratory herds that must cross the pipeline in restricted locations.

Every year, roughly 400 spills of crude oil and other toxic substances are reported in Prudhoe Bay, according to Athan Manuel, director of US Public Interest Research Group's Arctic Campaign. Already polluted from other spills, the water table of Prudhoe Bay has been irrevocably devalued. After 20 to 30 years of oil development, the once pristine wilderness is now covered with thousands of roads, pipelines and drilling pads. The current oil spill is located only 30 miles from the Alaskan National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR), where oil companies would like to develop next.

The U.S. 2007 budget - which includes oil drilling proposals in ANWR - is under review. Oil companies assure that they will maintain environmental integrity, but current oilfield conditions paint a different picture. Negligence and a lack of appropriate maintenance and regulation have already resulted in serious spills.

RISING COSTS

Oil is no longer cheap. It poses serious political and environmental repercussions. One of the most compelling arguments for ANWR drilling is the need for more domestically produced fuel. However, the claim that domestic oil retrieval would reduce our dependency on foreign oil is a myth. The Patriot-News has reported the bottom line or "mean estimate" of the recoverable oil in ANWR - including nearby areas - is 10.4 billion barrels. With U.S. consumption averaging 22 million gallons a day, that's only slightly over a year's supply.

The only workable solution to foreign oil dependence is a combination of intelligent resource management and the utilization of alternative power sources. With good reason, energy conservation has been called "the fifth fuel." Rising oil prices inevitably result in more self-conscious behavior towards fuel consumption. Biomass, or plant-fueled energy, shows a promising frontier to rival any gas or coal dynasty. The trend away from oil must continue, as dwindling supply and spills, both in the Alaskan wilderness and worldwide, further label "black gold" for what it really is - an insufficient resource.

Written By Faye Hoxie

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