re: ANWR
"The Energy Information Administration (EIA) estimates that if the green light is given it would take 7 to 12 years to sell leases, do permitting, environmental reviews, etc. and that initial production could start in 2010 at the earliest."
Yeah. Would have been great if we'd started 12 years ago.
Most this delay has to do with environmental bullshit, which had be accepted to getting any kind deal passed [which hasn't even passed yet, btw]. I imagine most of it won't protect the environment in terms of cost analysis, but instead mostly be waste of time and money.