Why is O.K. to export pollution to Africa and the mIddle East, wouldn't we be better stewards drilling here?

Question

Do you really think those other countries care about the environment? We won't allow US oil companies to drill in the US so we can save the planet. But at least we would use clean technology, I really doubt other countries would care like we would. Wouldn't you want to buy US oil with clean drilling technology then foreign oil from countries who hate us and don't care about the environment?

Answer 1

Yes we would be. We have 120 billion barrels of oil that can be recovered in alaska and off our coasts and in addition to that atleast 800+ billion barrels of oil in the form of oil shale in colorado. And yes we regulate our drilling MUCH more than other countries do so its safer for the environment and getting better every day with further technological advances.

Answer 2

We do drill and extract oil and gas in the US.  If you have ever been to Texas, Wyoming, the Gulf Coast or southern California you'd see lots of oil and gas wells.  Were it is limited is the further expansion of the Alaska North Slope oil fields.  It is not just because of pollution but mostly because of the disturbing effects to wild life and their habitat that it  has been stopped, for the time being.

The oil producing countries like those around the Persian Gulf make a great deal of money for their countries by selling oil to countries that don't have supplies within their own countries and to countries, like the US or the UK, that have a greater demand than they can produce domestically.

Answer 3

For the same reason it is OK for you to export the pollution from your car exhaust pipe into the air other people breathe.

Country borders are just political lines. Real life ignores them. You drill for oil where the oil is found, not where the politicians say you should drill.