Only a week after the official report on the disastrous oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, oil companies are making news north of the border as they try and convince the National Energy Board (NEB) of Canada to let them drill in the untouched Arctic waters.

The main concern about drilling in the Arctic is the possibility of another blowout similar to the BP oil spill and the ability to respond to such an event in conditions such as high wind, high waves, and fog. Oil companies have suggested some controversial methods of cleaning up spills such as “using fires set from helicopters to burn oil.”

Are we running out of oil so quick that we must tap into Arctic reserves to create more supply? Surprisingly the answer is no! Oil output is expected to reach its highest point at an average of 30.15 million barrels per day in August leaving many, including myself, to wonder why we need to further risk or possibly harm the fragile environment in the Arctic to get more oil.

Rules and regulations can’t plug gushing oil wells and with companies like BP cutting safety standards, we may see a similar disaster… or worse.