Oil production is a multi-billion dollar industry that affects the world on many levels, including environmental and economic, and these effects can be considered positive or negative. . Although there are many petroleum products that people rely on every day, oil drilling has long been a controversial topic. Oil spills that endanger wildlife and create pollution, and wars over land that contains oil are just some of the damaging concerns that are the subject of intense debate when the topic of oil comes up. . The benefits of these debates are the money it generates, the job opportunities and the products created from oil like gasoline, concrete, plastic and even some of the clothes we wear. Although oil can also be used to heat homes and generate electricity, one of its main uses is as a fuel. A massive tanker plows through the icy waters near Alaska en route to an unknown destination. This tanker has engine problems that lead to an explosion. Part of the hull is destroyed and a black liquid begins to pour into the ocean surrounding the ship. Coast Guard helicopters can be seen attempting to rescue stranded crew members and also contain this disaster. Every news channel tries its best to keep you updated with the latest news. A few days later, these same press teams offer you video coverage of the wildlife affected by this tragedy. Whales, fish and birds covered in this black, sticky liquid are depicted. Then there are scenes of people capturing animals and removing them from their homes in the hope that they can save their lives. What you have just witnessed is an oil spill. This story is similar to what actually happened on March 23, 1989 (middle of paper......September 8, 5). The 2008 Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend (Alaska PFD) amount for every Alaska resident is a record $3,269. Retrieved January 20, 2010 from Trendite: http://www.trendite.net/2008/09/05/alaska-permanent-fund-dividend-2008-alaska-pfd-amount-for-every-alaska-resident-is - a-record-3269/US Energy Information Administration. (November 10, 2009). EIA: OPEC Could Earn $750 Billion in Net Oil Export Revenues in 2010. Retrieved January 20, 2010 from Rigzone: http://www.rigzone.com/news/article.asp?a_id=82319U. S. Energy Information Administration. (July 14, 2009). Crude Oil Refining – Basics. Retrieved January 20, 2010 from Oil: Crude and Petroleum Products Explained: http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/energyexplained/index.cfm?page=oil_refiningZfacts. (July 21, 2009). Current gas prices and price history. Retrieved January 20, 2010 from ZFacts: http://zfacts.com/p/35.html