So it looks like they're at it again folks.

I read yesterday morning that the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) could go ahead with plans to allow drilling near Teshekpuk Lake on the North Slope.

According to spokeswoman, Sharon Wilson, the BLM is now reviewing the environmental impact assessment of drilling there.

That's bureaucrat-speak for "we're trying to figure out if we can get away with risking 400,000 acres of pristine, migratory land without getting caught."

But hey, there's an awful lot of oil up there too.

We're talking between 6 and 13 billion barrels.

At 13 billion barrels...that's enough to cover U.S. consumption for almost 2 years.

At 6 billion, we're looking at about 10 fun-filled months.

Brilliant!

Of course, I get it.

It doesn't matter that there's 10 months or 2 years worth of oil up there.

The fact is, as demand increases, and global supplies decrease, a two-year stock of oil in Alaska will fetch a pretty penny.

But it's not going to stop the bleeding.

And even though the gatekeepers will put a shiny coat of spin on it in an effort to placate the public, the fact is, drilling for oil in Alaska is not going to ease the burden at the pump.

Today, 87 Octane is going for $3.00 a gallon. And oil's running around $73 a barrel.

So what will the going rate for regular unleaded be with $80 oil...$90 oil...$100 oil?

Because it's going to happen.

And no two-year supply (and that's being extremely generous) in Alaska can change that.

The flood gates are open, and there's no turning back.

In fact, at this point, it's all about going forward.

Plug-In Hybrid technology, advances in ethanol and biodiesel production, efficient design and materials...these are the real solutions.

They exist now. They work now.

There can be no more excuses, and no more complacency.

No matter how you slice it, drilling in Alaska for a few measly drops of oil that'll be gone faster than you can say "Exxon funds global warming deniers" equates to nothing more than one more soggy band aid on a sinking ship.

Until next time...

Jeff