Oil Drilling

With gas prices setting record highs, the question in the U.S. Senate is whether or not to allow oil drilling in an Alaska wildlife refuge. The vote is expected to be close. If this would help bring down gas prices in the U.S., is it the right thing to do? If I had a vote to cast, I would vote for the oil drilling. I feel that we need to be as less dependent as possible on other countries for our goods and services. What do you think? Is the oil drilling necessary? Why or Why not?