What are the pluses and minuses of drilling for oil in Alaska ?

I wanted to know your opinion on drilling for oil in Alaska, what are some good things and bad thingsWhat are the pluses and minuses of drilling for oil in Alaska ?
drilling: we will be more independent. we wont have to depend so much on other countries to give us oil. It will most likely result in gas prices going back down. this will make the us stronger economic power and make our country stronger.





not drilling: We will still be relying on other countries for oil. im not sure what the ramifications are for drilling in alaska. im not sure if that would somehow hurt the enviorment there. there isnt much life there, so im sure it wont be that much of a problem. maybe an enviornmentalist knows more about the area they plan on drilling?





EDIT: yahoo answers probably isnt the best place to ask a serious question about politics. most of the people on this board either bash mccain/palin or obama without much justification.What are the pluses and minuses of drilling for oil in Alaska ?
I live in Alaska. A place where oil has been sucessfully drilled and shipped for sale practically problem free - even with 7.3 magnitude earthquakes not bothering the pipeline.





Remember - the only enviromentally impacted spills of Alaskan oil is from the Exxon Valdez, and, the kook who shot the pipeline three years ago. Neither of which had anything to do with drilling.
We have been pumping and drilling up here in Alaska since 1977. The wildlife are fine with the pipeline. We don't have enough oil to satisfy all the needs and wants of the USA. Gas today in Palmer, AK was $4.16 and diesel was $5.09. I vote drill. I voted for Sarah Palin as my Gov and I will vote for her as VP.