It is my understanding that the combined oil in Alaska and off the continental shelf will only provide enough oil to supply the USA for two months. The trade off in the threat to the environment in these areas makes it an irresponsible move. The only people that will benefit from such a move are Bush and Cheney and the others who are invested in the oil industry. If they were to drill, the time line is so long it will have no effect what so ever on current gas prices.