LAST Wednesday, Palin signed a bill for a gas pipeline.....

[Just-plain-Kathy]

Palin, drilling advocate, spars with oil companies
By Matt Daily Matt Daily – Fri Aug 29, 4:13 pm ET

snip..

On Wednesday, Palin signed a bill that would give the state the authority to award TransCanada Corp (TRP.T) a license to build a long-stalled gas pipeline from the state's North Slope.

That pipeline has been on the drawing board for three decades, but stalled because of its price tag -- now expected to be $26 billion -- and regulatory hurdles.

Its development is key to bringing new gas fields on line in Alaska, since energy companies currently have no way of shipping that fuel to the high-demand markets in the lower 48 states and Canada.

...end snip


http://news.yahoo.com/story//nm/20080829/bs_nm/palin_energy_dc

The article starts out as a piece on how Palin goes up against big oil, but then it seems she caved right before her VP nod.

[madokie]

1. good find

[enough]

2. Link?

[Just-plain-Kathy]

4. Thanks. I just added the link. ...n/t

[MNDemNY]

3. Outsourced to a foreign firm, non less.

[Just-plain-Kathy]

5. I thought with the neo-cons "mine, mine, mine" attitude...

I thought they'd be pissed that we're selling our precious fuel to Canada.

[thestrugglecontinues]

12. RE Selling our precious fuel to Canada

At present Canada exports a huge amount of natural gas to the US. Bringing Prudhoe Bay online will simply send US natural gas through a Canadian pipeline into the US distribution network that already exists. Any Alaskan gas sold to Canada would be offset by Canadian gas sold into the US.

[thestrugglecontinues]

10. RE Outsourced to a foreign firm

Just to let you know, Trans Canada owns and operates the largest natural gas pipeline system in North America. At present it delivers natural gas from Alberta and the US Gulf Coast to about 25 US States and 6 Canadian provinces.

The proposed pipeline from Prudhoe Bay would terminate in Alberta at a Trans Canada terminal and feed into the existing delivery network.

There is a large delivery network for Alberta gas and oil feeding into the lower 48 states.

[L. Coyote]

6. "largest construction project in North America" = Cheney-Young-Stevens-Palin pipiline?

Isn't this the project that VP Dick Cheney is implicated in?
You know, the one that Sen. Ted Stevens got "gifts" for?

This became Palin's pet project when the good old boys got too discredited, I believe.
This needs more research, I admit, but those are the pieces as I've heard them.

Palin's political persona, as a Big Oil supporter, fits with this story.

===============
"... her plan for a natural gas pipeline that could one day be the most expensive construction project in North America."

From ADN: http://dwb.adn.com/news/politics/story/8924080p-8824177c.html

Palin was making between $100,000 and $120,000 a year before he went on leave in December to make more time for his family and avoid potential conflicts of interest. London-based BP is heavily involved in the gas pipeline negotiations with his wife's administration.

Palin's advocacy dovetails neatly with his wife's No. 1 priority: forging a construction contract with private companies to transport natural gas from the North Slope to the Lower 48. ...

From Newsweek: "a controversial Alaska natural-gas pipeline bill"

=================

Stevens implicates Cheney in his scandal!

The DOJ covered up Cheney-Stevens link in Cheney's indictments.
No word yet on the possibility Ceney will be indicted too!
McCain's pick of Palin may be a way of trying to immunize McCain
from the forthcoming Corupt Bastards clusterf**k of indictments.

In an FBI recorded phone conversation Stevens asks Cheney to influence lawmakers to support the pipeline project VECO's Bill Allen wanted a piece of.

The Veep’s Pipeline Push
Michael Isikoff and Tony Hopfinger | NEWSWEEK - Aug 23, 2008 - http://www.newsweek.com/id/154916?from=rss


Stevens added: "I'm going to try and see if I can get . . . the Secretary of Energy and also the head of, of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission <("FERC")> up there to explain why it's necessary that they act before we act."

Stevens confirmed to NEWSWEEK last week that he asked Cheney to write the letter. "We wanted the federal government to tell the state to act quickly on it," he said.

[L. Coyote]

7. Did Sen. Ted Stevens rat out Dick Cheney? Oooophs!

Aug-25-08 - http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x3856924

This is hilarious, from a former federal corruption prosecutor,

"prosecutors may not have had evidence that Stevens was behind Cheney's letter, before Stevens confirmed it to Newsweek."

..................MORE ....

[Just-plain-Kathy]

8. I wish I could recommend your reply. ..n/t

[L. Coyote]

11. That topic deserves a new post in the Palin context. Go for it

and I'll rec it, for sure, as will 100 others!!

[Just-plain-Kathy]

13. My topics usually sink, I know I'm on a lot of DUer's ignore list.

Please, you go for it. :)

[L. Coyote]

19. Congratulations. That's a positive.

I'm busy today, but I hope someone is looking into the pipeline story.

Right now on NPR the Palin flip-flop on the Bridge to Nowhere.

[mzmolly]

22. Her husband has ties to BP and she "took on Exxon Mobile.

Interesting.

She also outsourced the "largest construction project in North America" yet paints herself as pro-labor?

[L. Coyote]

31. Outsourced and Alaskans have to cough up money too!

The competition wanted to foot the entire bill. Monumental crime this!!

[Wilber_Stool]

9. It's also been reported that

Palin's husband sits in on government meetings and has been mentioned in several e-mails that have yet to be released.

[Solly Mack]

14. and then there's this

I know it is a lot of links and a lot of reading...and I didn't make it any easier...but if anyone takes the time to read it all... Palin isn't some oil company reformer/ "maverick" at all....and Cheney ain't the least bit unhappy with Palin.

Alaska natural Gas Transportation Projects


Current News from Washington on Alaska Gas (PDF)
Presented by Drue Pearce Office of the Federal Coordinator Alaska Natural Gas Transportation Projects
November 14, 2007

Presentation Audio
Listen to audio of Drue presenting Current News from Washington on Alaska Gas


State Announces Five AGIA Applicants
Governor Sarah Palin today announced five companies have submitted applications for the exclusive right to build a natural gas pipeline to transport North Slope gas to market....

ConocoPhillips Offers an Alternate Proposal to Alaska
ConocoPhillips presents a unique and competitive choice for the State of Alaska. ConocoPhillips, like the State, is motivated to see the natural gas pipeline advanced soon, and has already initiated planning and contracting efforts that will allow full advantage to be taken of the summer 2008 field season with environmental studies and route confirmation work.

Press Releases
Federal Coordinator Welcomes Director of Permits, Scheduling and Compliance
April 14, 2008
The Office of the Federal Coordinator for Alaska Natural Gas Transportation Projects (OFC) is pleased to announce today that a Director of Permits, Scheduling and Compliance has been added to the OFC staff. William "Bill" Doyle comes to the OFC from the Marine Engineers' Beneficial Association. Doyle is an attorney and certified engineer with an extensive background in energy related issues.

BP and ConocoPhillips Join on the Alaska Gas Pipeline
April 8, 2008
BP and ConocoPhillips announced they combined resources to start Denali – The Alaska Gas Pipeline. The pipeline will move approximately four billion cubic feet of natural gas per day to markets, and will be the largest private sector construction project ever built in North America. The project combines the financial strength, arctic experience and technical resources of two of the most capable and experienced companies in the world.

Office of the Federal Coordinator on a Roll
September 27, 2007
The OFC’s startup is well underway. Pearce has hired a small permanent staff and plans to begin work on a gap analysis in October. She has established a cooperative relationship with Canadian Industry Minister Jim Prentice, who manages the Arctic gas pipeline files for Premier Harper. Pearce is coordinating her activities with the State of Alaska and Governor Palin in advance of entering into the joint surveillance and monitoring agreement required by the enabling legislation. Pearce is calling together the principles for the responsible Federal Agencies in early October to discuss the status of the project. Finally, the OFC intends to publish draft regulations in the coming months.

Federal Coordinator Awards Alaska Services Contract
September 12, 2007
Drue Pearce, Federal Coordinator for Alaska Natural Gas Transportation Projects, is pleased to announce the selection of Michael Baker Jr., Inc as the successful bidder for a contract to assist the Office of the Federal Coordinator (OFC). “I am pleased to have the Baker team working alongside us as we move forward,” said Pearce, Federal Coordinator for Alaska Natural Gas Transportation Projects. “They have extensive knowledge and expertise in Arctic oil and gas pipeline issues.”

Federal Coordinator Applauds AGIA First Steps and Announces Creation of a Senior Intergovernmental Management Team
July 13, 2007
Drue Pearce, Federal Coordinator for Alaska Natural Gas Transportation Projects, congratulates Governor Palin and her pipeline team on their work to date under the Alaska Gasline Inducement Act (AGIA). The bill called for the Governor to publish a Request for Applications (RFA) last week and they did.

Vice President Swears In Drue Pearce as First Federal Coordinator
Dec. 13, 2006
Vice President Dick Cheney swore in Drue Pearce today as the first Federal Coordinator for Alaska Natural Gas Transportation Projects. She was confirmed on Aug. 4, 2006 by the U. S. Senate.

"It is a great honor to be chosen by President Bush to serve as the first Federal Coordinator. I am personally gratified that the Vice President administered the oath of office and I look forward to advocating for the Alaska Gas Project throughout the nation and in Canada.”

Drue Pearce talks to the Senate

Meet Drue Pearce

"Drue Pearce, federal coordinator for the Alaska natural gas pipeline and former state Senate president, said Palin was a smart pick for McCain.

"She's very bright, she's fair, she's tough and she's a good choice for John McCain. She balances the ticket," Pearce said. "She complements his maverick style and she brings a human face to the ticket that I don't think we've seen before.""


anwr.org


DP: From the Bush Administration to members of Congress on both sides of the aisle we have had unqualified support from every quarter. Congressional members and staff ask us what they can do to help to move the pipeline project along. They see it both as important to our national energy security and as a stable supply of natural gas at a stable price to heat homes in the Lower 48. The Bush Administration has been a supporter of commercializing Alaska’s North Slope natural gas since the President’s energy plan was written.

Cheney and (former guv of Alaska just prior to Palin) Murkowski target energy supply side


Murkowski discussed the outline of his legislation last month with Vice President Dick Cheney, who heads up the White House's energy task force. Cheney has said he will complete the administration's energy plan within the next 60 days. Both plans are expected to look very similar. "The Vice President had a very good meeting with Sen. Murkowski and agrees with much of what he has proposed," said Juleanna Glover Weiss, Cheney's spokeswoman.

Despite intense criticism from environmentalists, both Cheney and Murkowski favor drilling for oil and natural gas in a tiny section of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). The U.S. Geological Survey estimates that the coastal plain of ANWR holds 6 to 16 billion barrels of oil, an amount that could replace Saudi Arabian oil imports for the next 25 years. (For more on ANWR, see February 5 HuMAN EvENTs, page 9.)

Bush has not wavered on his campaign pledge to open ANWR. "I campaigned hard on the notion of having environmentally sensitive exploration at ANWR, and I think we can do so," he said last week.

Governor, Cheney to discuss ANWR, pipeline proposals

Murkowski said the Canadian government recently acknowledged it is prepared to decide which company will build the Canadian portion of the pipeline. Canadian officials will choose between Transcanada Corp....

Scroll down to the letter titled "Casual observer"

"Why is everyone so excited about this pipeline? Because they predict that tar sand production will boom - BP has invested billions in those reserves, and TransCanada will be the connection (it takes a lot of natural gas to process every ton of tar sands)"

[L. Coyote]

20. "dramatically pro-oil" BP wife. Why was she appointed? D'oh!

There is an immense competition for "North America's largest construction project"
and the Big Oil boys are fighting over this. Palin had a conflict of interest from DAY ONE!

[Solly Mack]

27. She sure did

[Solly Mack]

15. Also..K&R...because there's a lot of good information in this thread

Thank you, Just-plain-Kathy!!!

[L. Coyote]

21. Reminder appreciated. K & R this folks ....

[Just-plain-Kathy]

32. Thanks. With all the added info on this thread, I think I'm going to bookmark it. ..n/t

[Solly Mack]

35. I hope more stuff gets added

Thanks, again!

[Bandit]

16. Senator Daschle and Rep. Gephardt and most Democrats have

behind this project for more than two decades. It is about time. Natural Gas is a good thing.......It will help cut dependence on foreign oil. Think about it.......

[L. Coyote]

23. Indeed. But they did not get $$ 1/4 million $$ in gifts from contract competitors.

Some politicos don't know how to hide their bribes, or we wouldn't know about Steven's corruption!!
The importance of the pipeline is not the issue. The corruption surrounding it is!
Who got the contract? "Which Republican faction won?" might be the real question at the end of the day.

Mr. Palin gets $100K+ a year from BP. No conflict there, and no bribe, right?

[Bandit]

24. If I am not mistaken the entire Democratic minority voted for this.

Senator Kim Elton and Representative Andrea Doll spoke heavily in favor of this project. I understand it is not often that Democrats and Republicans agree on anything but on this one issue they did. While I am with you on the (I thought it was 500 million) money up front supposedly for licenses and right a ways I am not against the project. I think someone would be pretty hard pressed to uncover any corruption on this project at this stage of the game considering how much investigation has bewen going on over it. I think it is pretty straight forward now..:shrug: I could very well be wrong though.

[Just-plain-Kathy]

33. I'm concerned as to why after decades, Palin signs on right before her VP nod?

She was obviously against the pipeline for a long time. How corrupt is she that she caved last week?

[The Straight Story]

17. A lot more info here

http://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla%3Aen-US%3Aofficial&channel=s&hl=en&q=palin+site%3Aadn.com&btnG=Google+Search

[Just-plain-Kathy]

34. The way I see it, if the GOP doesn't dump Palin, the fix is in.

The media is already telling us that Obama is sinking in the polls.

[ensho]

18. the neo con oil/gas Barons picked Palin - she will do whatever they want

nt

[L. Coyote]

29. Which ones is the question. They compete too, esp. for the biggest pie ever.

[Gregorian]

25. So Palin is their energy policy?

My dear Republicans, she may be inexperienced at being the president of the Senate, but don't you worry about that. She will bring gas prices down to where they were before CLINTON took office.

I can see it coming. And this could be a very important article. The pregnant stuff all seemed so petty to me. There is no way that would be cause for a true issue. This though...

The moment I heard the word Alaska I thought petroleum.

[Gregorian]

26. NO! (in Ted Steven's voice) We must counter this. Renewable, not more drilling.

Considering many fundies and conservatives and even liberals don't believe in global warming, this could be a big win win for them.

No more drilling FOR DEPENDANCY. Drilling is not inherently bad, but to use it to rely on for major energy generation is a SIN.

I think this is going to be the big ploy.

[AzDar]

28. Kick...

:kick:

[Solly Mack]

30. kick

[countryjake]

36. Kick!