A little history lesson is in order. The 1002 area of 1.5 million acres on the coastal plain was set aside as an area for future oil exploration. Without the 1002, it is unlikely that the Alaskans nor many members of Congress would have agreed to setting up ANWR in the first place.  Congress ordered and environmental impact study (completed in 1986) that said that environmental damage from drilling would be minimal.

It was after this that the Democrat party renegged on the deal to open the 1002 to exploration.  There is oil and gas exploration on 77 of the 567 federally created wildlife refuge, including areas that are MUCH more environmentally sensitive than the 1002, like the Rainey NWR in Louisiana.  

The Audobon society and other conservation groups collect royalties from oil and gas exploration on their conservation properties.  The industry has worked very responsibly with these groups to ensure that impacts are minimal.  An oil company is the largest fee land holder in the state of Louisiana.  They are working on deals to grant the surface fee lands to conservation groups while maintaining the mineral rights for development - truly a win-win for both environmentalists and industry.  

With 21st century technology there is no reason to believe the 1002 could not be developed responsibly.

Congress ordered and environmental impact study (completed in 1986)

That was 21 years ago.  A bit outdated, don't ya think?

of water.  we don't have the kind of free water resources laying around anymore to run nuclear.  it's a dead issue.  

keep it simple.  this point is irrefutable, unfixable and clear.