Frameworks for Environmental Policy

1. Values Framework: Which components of your policy issue (for your Final Paper) are most relevant for Cohen’s “Values” Framework?

In utilizing the values framework from Cohen, the policy being analyzed clearly stems from our lifestyle choices in the US. Our society has this fundamental behavior dysfunction that our way of life and consumption are entitlements; this is where our issue stems from. The simple act of excluding 1.5 million acres of land in Alaska’s arctic coastal plain was not only an economic choice, but one of human selfishness, to benefit from drilling oil to maintain our increased consumption. Now, almost 30 years later, the “Udall-Eisenhower Arctic Wilderness Act” H.R.39 is trying to mitigate the important and significant trade-off between economic well-being and ecological well-being. The proposed bill will indeed favor ecological well-being over that of human well-being, in this case, the ability to drill for oil in Alaska’s arctic coastal plain.

2. Political Framework: Which components of your policy issue (for your Final Paper) are most relevant for Cohen’s “Political” Framework?

Currently H.R. 39 and S. 231, both to reallocate the arctic coastal plain as part of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) in Alaska, have both been introduced in the corresponding Congress, have been read, and referred to committees. Neither bill has been voted or scheduled for a vote at this time; this may be due to the controversy behind the potential oil drilling of this land.

This bill involves many stakeholders, and of course winners and losers. Political stakeholders include the House and the Senate, as well as Alaska and their political appointments, as well as the Presidential appointments. If this issue was purely about environmental conservation, the stakeholders would be a little different than the current situation. But since this land has the potential to create domestic oil production, there are several issues that are present with the conservation of this land. Obviously, if this bill passes as written, oil drilling will not be allowed in the 1.5 million acres designated in this bill, therefore oil companies, and their shareholders will be the losers in this policy. While there will be winners if this passes, the battle will continue about oil drilling in other parts of Alaska.

3. Science & Technology Framework: Which components of your policy issue (for your Final Paper) are most relevant for Cohen’s “Science & Technology” Framework?

In response the science and technology framework, there is scientific uncertainty in regards to the actual usability of the oil produced from the land discussed in the proposed bill. In fact, the main discussion is the quantity and quality of potential oil produced from this land that is frequently debated among those designated to report their findings. These studies have been updated every few years or so to update the potential oil production based on current scientific and technology findings. It is difficult for decision makers, those in the House and Senate to vote on a bill with an environmental conservation component without appropriate data to support such a decision. There are far too many individuals and decision makers that would prefer to drill oil instead of conserving this land. At this time, we should place emphasis and investment on alternate fuel technologies or “green” energy instead of arguing about some acreage in Alaska with minimal oil supply.
4. Policy Design Framework: Which components of your policy issue (for your Final Paper) are most relevant for Cohen’s “Policy Design” Framework?

The current policy being discussed, the “Udall-Eisenhower Arctic Wilderness Act” reflects the influence of political considerations, and stakeholder compromises, nothing to do with strategic thinking, or lucky guesses. The current bill being proposed does not add any additional Alaskan land to the ANWR, it only reallocates a mere 1.5 million acres that was deliberately excluded some 30 years ago with the intent of domestic oil production. Unfortunately the regulated community and non regulated parties are aware of the proposed bill as it is in fact the same bill proposed since 1991. It is difficult to gain their support on this bill without any progress in over 15 years. It may be true that they support the policy design, but active participants are difficult to retain over time, although this may change now that domestic oil production seems to be a big talking point in politics. If this bill passes, the progress would finally be a decision to conserve our environment rather than choosing the economic gain. Past and current environmental policies usually succeed if this trade-off does not seem important.

5. Management Framework: Which components of your policy issue (for your Final Paper) are most relevant for Cohen’s “Management” Framework?

In reviewing the management framework, there is organizational capacity to encourage the use of technology to prevent the environmental issue at hand. Current legislation in the economic stimulus bill places emphasis on creating energy independence and reducing our society’s need for oil. With this strategic plan in place, it may control the current issue about the coastal plain in Alaska currently under attack. Unfortunately, it is uncertain if the appropriate organization capacity is available at this time, maybe with the current talk of energy sustainability we may develop this capacity. At this time, considering the current economic shortfall, and the delay in economic stimulus money, procedures are still being developed in terms of energy conservation and alternative fuel sources. At this time, we have a lot we need to learn about other sources of fuel, and that will take some time.