Palin forwards Canadian firm as gas line builder
Originally published Thursday, May 22, 2008 at 10:35 a.m.
Updated Friday, May 23, 2008 at 12:02 a.m.
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Stumble It!JUNEAU — Gov. Sarah Palin announced Thursday she is pushing ahead with the natural gas pipeline proposed by Canadian pipeline company TransCanada.
“After decades of Alaskans dreaming about a pipeline that would transmit Alaska’s natural gas into really hungry markets, this administration has a plan in hand that will move Alaska’s gas pipeline project forward, and quickly,” she said at a news conference in Anchorage.
Palin said TransCanada’s proposal would bring gas to homes and businesses and provide jobs for Alaskans. She stressed that continuing with TransCanada under the Alaska Gasline Inducement Act would ensure that project deadlines were met, that the pipeline was open to all North Slope leaseholders and that pipeline owners would charge reasonable rates for using the line.
“Everything in the proposal is enforceable,” Palin said. “Unlike what we heard in the past with the oil producers, ... (TransCanada) has made binding and enforceable commitments to move a truly open-access gas project forward.”
TransCanada is proposing to build a 1,715-mile pipeline from the North Slope to Alberta, Canada, at a projected cost of $33 billion. Its proposal was one of five submitted last year under the Alaska Gasline Inducement Act, or AGIA, and the only one deemed complete by Palin’s administration.
Other entities are pushing competing gas line projects, but Palin and members of her gas line team said Thursday that TransCanada’s project was the best for Alaska.
Palin said the project pursued by North Slope producers ConocoPhillips and BP sounded “fantastic,” but she suggested it might never happen.
“It’s time to get this project actually built and not just keep talking about it,” she said.
A pipeline running entirely through Alaska and using liquefied natural gas tankers would not provide the same benefits to the state as a line through Canada, she said, although a liquefied natural gas, or LNG, component could be added to the TransCanada pipeline later if there was enough demand.
TransCanada vice president Tony Palmer, who joined Palin at the news conference, called the announcement exciting for TransCanada but acknowledged that his company still needed the blessing of state lawmakers.
He added that he still thought “alignment” with the state and North Slope producers was the best and fastest way to proceed.
Lawmakers are scheduled to consider the pipeline proposal at a special legislative session starting June 3 in Juneau and would need to approve the governor’s recommendation to award a state license to TransCanada under AGIA.
Lawmakers on Thursday said they weren’t surprised by Palin’s decision to pursue the TransCanada proposal but weren’t yet sold on the idea.
Sen. Bert Stedman, a Republican from Sitka and co-chair of the Senate Finance Committee, said the commitments under AGIA were important, but added that federal pipeline regulators would also protect the state’s interests and said lawmakers needed to consider other things, such as TransCanada’s ability to secure shipping commitments from gas producers.
“No gas, no financing, no pipeline,” he said.
Stedman also noted that while AGIA would require TransCanada to seek federal permitting, it would not force the company to actually build a pipeline.
Sen. Gene Therriault, a Republican from North Pole and leader of the Republican minority in the Senate, said it was probably in the state’s best interest to “keep on the AGIA track,” but added that he wanted to see the economic data backing up the administration’s decision.
Rep. David Guttenberg, a Fairbanks Democrat, said it was important to have an independent company build the pipeline to ensure the major producers didn’t have too much control over the North Slope. But he also said he would consider the TransCanada proposal with an open mind.
In Washington, D.C., federal Alaska pipeline coordinator Drue Pearce commended Palin and her team for their “exhaustive” review of gas line issues.
In a written statement, she said the federal government agreed with the governor that open access to the pipeline was “key to the success of any project.”
“TransCanada is widely regarded as one of the best pipeline companies in North America,” she added. “It has proven its ability to build safe and secure pipelines on time and on budget.”
U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski said she wasn’t surprised by the announcement, and added that her office would review the administration’s findings this weekend.
Representatives from ConocoPhillips and BP said the governor’s decision didn’t affect their own “Denali” pipeline project.
“AGIA is the state’s process, it’s not ours,” said BP spokesman Steve Rinehart. “We and ConocoPhillips have already started our project, and we’re committed to moving forward with it.”
Rinehart and ConocoPhillips vice president Brian Wenzel both said their companies were focused on the Denali project, but said they would at least consider shipping their gas in a TransCanada pipeline if lawmakers approved that project and both projects moved forward.
“For any open season that occurs out there by any pipeline developer, you’re going to see individual companies with extraction rights carefully look at those terms and conditions,” Wenzel said.
Exxon Mobil, the third major North Slope producer, didn’t comment on the decision, but issued a statement expressing the company’s desire to bring gas to market.
“We are keen to move forward with an Alaska gas pipeline and continue to evaluate all options, including the state of Alaska’s consideration of a project under the AGIA process,” read the statement, which added that a gas line would increase Exxon’s worldwide production by 10 percent.
The Alaska Support Industry Alliance, a trade group, issued a statement opposing granting an exclusive license to TransCanada.
“AGIA ignores the risks of shippers that ultimately will pay for the multibillion-dollar project through their shipping commitments and does not resolve fundamental fiscal terms, virtually guaranteeing a failed open season,” it read.
Palin challenged the claims at her news conference, saying there was no reason to think the major oil producers wouldn’t want to commit their gas to a project that was so economic. She added that the state could also force the companies to ship their gas by enforcing lease provisions through litigation.
Revenue Commissioner Pat Galvin said he didn’t think the state had to provide more favorable tax and royalty terms for producers than were already included in AGIA. But he added that it was in the state’s interest to make the project attractive, and said the producers’ progress on the Denali project gave them leverage on TransCanada and the state.
Palin said she would ask lawmakers to approve the license for TransCanada, and warned that if they didn’t, the state could end up in a situation where Alaska is leveraged “by a consortium of companies holding all the cards.”
AGIA was designed to spur construction of a pipeline on Alaska’s terms, she said, adding, “AGIA has worked.”
Community Discussion
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From the press conference it appears BP and Conoco Phillips will be invited to be part of TransCanada. Also it looks like the State will do a reconsideration of Point Thompson. Interesting that they findings showed that a LNG line would not be economically sound at this time. Trans Canada stated that if and when LNG becomes viable, they would consider a LNG line. The next decade or so should be interesting if the legislators approve this. The open season will determine a lot.
So the battle is set, I think the Governor has spent too much time hanging around John McCain as of late.
This flies in the face of Alaska's best interests, no doubt about it.
Stunning betrayal of those who got her elected, absolutely stunning betrayal.
Mr. Copper. If you are going to make such inflamitory remarks then your going to have to be a little more specific about them.
Port Authority get over it. You were part of a process that you did not make the grade. hopefully the Fairbanks North Star Borough will get a refund of what is left of the $300,000 it recently gave. At least a complete accounting of how it was spent.
roadtrip,
It's called my own campaigning and donating state-wide based upon a promise she made to those of us who supported her.
Do you remember those full page ads with Jay Hammond, Sarah Palin and Walter Hickel advocating for the LNG route?
Im dissapointed that we did not go with the All Alaska route
Hopefully the special session will fix this
And no, Im not part of teh port authority
Alaskans have been betrayed.
Pat Galvin said we might not get gas until 2020! We can not wait that long for affordable energy. We can do a lot better, and the administration knows it. Fairbanks is losing hundreds of millions of dollars per year because we do not have low cost gas. If we had to wait until 2020 for gas- that will cost us over two billion dollars.
Does the administration hate Fairbanks?
The legislature will have to reject this recommendation and get us back on track. Governor Hickle has explained the best way forward, and we need to listen to him. If we do, we could have low- cost gas flowing to Fairbanks within five years.
Five years- instead of 12 years.
The governor blew it. What an incredible blunder. So much for the voter's mandates.
Palin said a liquefied natural gas project would not provide the same benefits for the state but could be pursued later in addition to a TransCanada pipeline into Canada.
==============================================
Ok, without having a chance yet to review the actual documents that have been signed, the above statement suggests there will be a backdoor left open for our gang of Wally Hickel's friends to pursue alternative methods to pass gas too.
There's actually plenty of METHANE to go around for everybody..
..so much methane it's a dangerous fire hazard, and Alaska needs to get rid of it as fast as possible before it poisons the atmosphere or goes up in a fireball that will make Krakatoa pale in comparison.
[or, is that a Palin Comparison ? ]
Hopefully the Canadians will ensure the methane they get from us will be used responsibly, because forget the lawyers, the gaspipe can be shut off by anybody who knows the magic words.
THE MAIN THING IS...
KEEP THE NGL''s IN ALASKA FOR ALASKANS...
EXPORT METHANE ONLY
Galvin, and his predecessors, is hooked on having a convenient "big iron cash register" like TAPS, and getting a 2nd "big iron cash register" is the gold-plated ball-and-chain Juneau is dancing with today.
A TransCanada/BP-CP gasline will not make life much easier for Alaskans who aren't in the "club". TAPS promised cheap fuel 4-ever to Fairbanks, and TAGS will do the same shuck-n-jive.
Populist politics threatens the hidden Iron-Fist in government.
Propane for Alaskans will only be allowed to fly if the Iron-Fist is able to control it for it's own perpetuation of power...
...sort of a misinterpretation of COG.
This is the same reason James W. Dalton received a lump of coal for Christmas from Ft.Wainwright..
the military quashed his efforts to bring a gasline into Fairbanks.
"The most attractive and most promising opportunity from the viewpoint of proven resources, risk involved, and foreseeable returns on investment would entail the production of natural gas from the Gubik structure and its transmission to the Alaskan Railbelt area by means of a pipe line approximately 465 miles in length from the Gubik gas field to the northern terminus of the Alaska Railroad," engineer James W. Dalton wrote in a 1954 report for the Alaska Development Board.
When Alaskans are freezing in the dark again next winter, you can look to your friendly neighborhood "patriots" for a reason why your life is so miserable.. because the military insists on being the most powerful game in town, in a state that's awash in gas&oil Juneau gets bribed by the Feds to be stingy to it's citizens.
Joe Vogler was right, that's why he's buried in Canada, because he didn't want to be buried in USA.
[not because he thought Canada was cool]
....flash/rumble
"the above statement suggests there will be a backdoor left open for our gang of Wally Hickel's friends to pursue alternative methods to "pass gas too."
-Sorry, just trying to bring a smile to peoples faces during these difficult times!!
Looks like I may be eating crow when I look back at my previous postings! I would like Gov Palin to explain to us Alaskan's what she is trying to do, help the lower 48, or us? Let me see, if Natural Gas and Heating oil continue to rise at 15% to 20% every year for the next 10 - 15 years, how much will I be paying per month? I need a calculator with more zero's on it I believe! I hope in the next day or two she will explain what she is doing to help us with the higher prices that will be coming our way next winter!! I still believe we need the In-State Natural Gas line and the State needs to buy the refinery at North Pole, and I hope she can explain why we are not investing in ourselves. This is going to be a big deal to all Alaskan's, no matter where you live in the state!!!!
I just love all the remarks concerning Governor Palin's loyalty.
6 months ago, BP and ConocoPhillips were public enemies no. 1 due to their loud objections to AGIA and all those full-color ads in the News-miner. I'm I forgetting something? Gee, ... Oh Yes! They have had decades to propose a viable gas line plan of their own. Then, they announce, out of nowhere, that they are pursuing their own gasline and will incur all costs, ... after we selected the one and only company that conformed to every square inch of AGIA. All of a sudden, BP and CP are the heroes and everyone wants to abandon AGIA and TransCanada.
The timing of this sequence of events couldn't be more perfect. This grand announcement seems to be working exactly how BP and CP wanted it to go down. Dangle a large enough carrot, and the mule will walk away. They have promised the moon so that we lose faith in the AGIA process. Ultimately we are supposed to abandon our laws (Yes, AGIA is law), rally support to two of the Big 3 (who have, again, done nothing for decades in regard to gas development) embrace their plan and ...viola! We have cheap, affordable gas for Alaskans.
Listen, this is just me talking, but my experience says that if you back the plan that goes against the rules and is outside of those said rules, ... you are at the mercy of the rule breakers. What would stop BP-CP in two years from doing another complete 180 degree turnaround and discontinue development? Nothing, because they circumvented the AGIA process to begin with.
Governor Palin is fulfilling her promise to Alaskans. She is not back tracking on the LNG issue, rather she is adjusting priorities and ideals to bring resolution, all so development can be guarunteed.
I say we play like Venezuela....Take the gas, build our own pipeline and whola...free gas for all my friends!
Non_lemming - hope your right!! I will see how this turns out for now. She may have more imput to her plans in the next couple of weeks. I will do a wait and see! I'm also not for the big 3 - just for an in-state gas line to go with the other line.
I toss this out for your opin, I heard it from a 35 year res. recently gone to Arizona (cheapest gas in the US), How about a debt card to all of us from the yet unrecieved royalty oil we are owed (and so far been denied) for the purchase of their products and we build the Gubik line ourselves and use it for OUR needs first and sell the rest.
I don't think the $100 a month energy debit card is going to cut it,
considering the Alaskan mob is looking for the tar bucket and ptarmigan feathers, now. The Alaska Energy Authority better be installing a whole bunch of windmills just to cool the place down.
God grant me SERENITY to accept the things I can not change, COURAGE to change that which I can, and WISDOM to know the difference. And if not, JUST GIVE ME THE TELEPHONE NUMBER OF THE BEST ATTORNEY, and we will just see if this State is going to abide by the Constitution of State of Alaska.
I have to say my previous posts were in the throes of passion and percolation and I am going to try to be somewhat more civil in future comments on this subject.
However, since waiting for this opportunity even back clearing R.O.W. for TAPS in 1974 and seeing what has become of this apparent mish mash of compromise as proposed under AGIA I do not have full faith in certain of the Governor's advisers once again.
It is a disturbing pattern which seems to be based on compromising with the entities rather than asserting our own autonomy and the fact we are grown-ups and players on the world stage in our own right with state owned gas. State Owned, not Federally Owned, dammit!
Stating there are hurdles to financing for LNG facilities and an export license is not reason enough to cave.
As far as we are into debt to China thanks to D.C. policies going back to Clinton and the fact they would build and finance the damn thing in a heart beat and pay us twice as much for it will make for interesting conversation during the Legislative session.
I can only hope reason, logic and the correct interpretation of our Alaska Constitution and Statehood Compact with the U.S. gets a very thorough vetting in favor of those of us who feel the future of Alaska is not getting our reasoned input.
I don't mind people disagreeing with me or even throwing stones but Alaska has always been my home and it comes before any Outside forces, especially in this case.
Boy you Port Authority group really thought you had Irwin and Palin in your pockets. You never had the support of the all Alaskans as you constantly tried to convince everyone. Now it will be fun to watch you try to bring down the most popular Governor in Alaska's history. The only mob in Alaska looking to tar and feather anyone are the few Fairbanks people associated with the Port Authority. Hopefully the legislators and Governor will conduct a complete investigation of the Port Authority to see what was really going on with this group who always used "confidentiality" to conceal what they were doing and how they got money and how they spent it. It's good to see the good old boys put in their place by a woman.
For those of you who want a socialist gas line I recommend you move to Norway. Last time I looked Alaska is part of the United States and capitalism is the preferred economic model. Fairbanks get real the town is a small military and college town located almost at the end of the road in the middle of a wilderness. Less than 20% of register voters vote. Exactly how did you think you have any power in this State. Remember Livengood was a major city in Alaska once and where did it disappear to.
It's interesting to hear that the Port Authority (PA) bunch thought they had a wired deal! I think it's a good thought that we need an investigation of their activities. Doesn't Hickel's Foundation own 1/6th of the stock in Yukon Pacific, the corp that owns the permits PA wants to use? That doesn't sound very clear and transparent to me! How come, after being elimenated via the AGIA process in December, they still are given special attention by the Governor? I don't see the rest of the discharged projects getting such attention. I think the public needs an explantion...... Something is not right!
Hey Randy, we heard you on the radio the other day apologizing for tossing out bad info. You also said that you were a recipient of the Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend.
Isn't that socialist program at its core?
So you have a decision to make. You either accept the benefits of the PFD, or you return all those socialist dividends you've gotten for all these years... and refuse any more dividends.
You will also need to refuse the power that comes from the Alaska owned hydroelectric project at Bradley Lake.
And you'll need to stop driving on those Alaska owned bridges, and highways.
And don't use those socialist airports.
And forget about ever taking those Alaska owned ferries.
And do not ever call for those socialist State Troopers... or our socialist fire departments if you ever have an accident or a fire.
And you better figure out what you are going to do with all your trash. You don't want to be impure by putting your trash in our socialist landfill.
Cheers.
Hey ArcticAir. Here's some homework for you. Go check out the elections that were held in 1999 and 2002 where the voters said that they wanted to build an All Alaska Gasline form the North Slope to Valdez. Voters gave the mandate to both AGPA and ANGDA.
So if you hear these entities talking about what the voters have said that they wanted done- know that isn't some kind of conspiracy, but directions from the voters.
You don't have a problem with doing what the voters have overwhelmingly said that they wanted done, do you?
Do you?
TransCanada will move on, with or without us:
http://www.mackenziegasproject.com/
Check it out.
TransCanada's website also has projected routes that eventually lead into America's Breadbasket, in addition to those already in place.
Also, unless things have changed recently, natural gas regulation doesn't fall under the oversight of the Alaska Regulatory Commission, so they can jack prices without a cap, and only give 30 days notice; their only obligation.
Can't remember where I read this; if I find it, I'll post back.
To 5050: The elections in 1999 and 2002 set up organizations to advance gasline development. Nothing more, nothing less. They weren't sold to the pubic as a mandate to socialize the state's major industry, and certainly were not a mandate to interfere with oil industry efforts to develop our resources. If the voters had any idea what the PA would do with its 1999 election results, they never would have approved it.
Like I said, ArcticAir, you need to do your homework.
You are wrong.
But I'll help you out. The voters were quite specific about what they said they wanted done. They did far more than set up organizations. They approved pages of specific instructions about what was to happen. In short- a gasline from the North Slope to Valdez.
Last time I checked, the Multinationals were not pursing a NS to Valdez project.
So go do your homework before you embarrass yourself any further.
Have folks had enough yet? Let's give Palin the boot!
5050 stop name calling anyone who disagrees with you. Grow up. You are the the one who is embarrassing. Come out of the closet and admit you a board member of the Port Authority.
Come on everyone where is your memory? Cheap gas prices??? Not in this livetime. Dont you remember all the talk about the North Pole refinery? Gas will be so cheap they wont even bother to run it through a pump, just come get it... Everyone has been brain washed by all the "FREE" stuff from Uncle Ted and his give away programs, just ask Jim Hayes how easy things are to get.
I've always had a preference for the "All-Alaska route myself, but I won't fault Governor Palin for obeying/enforcing the law(AGIA). As Governor, that's what she's supposed to do.
Obeying the law: Something most politicians are loathe to do.
5050 how many communities in the State voted for the Port Authority? Quit deceiving the readers to believe it was a State wide election. Why don't you come forward and openly represent the Port Authority as a Board member. Why doesn't the Port Authority purchase ads to promote itself, is it that the Port Authority is broke and cannot buy ads until it begs the government for more money. By the way, show the public the money you have to pay for the fast production of pipe to build a line in 5 years. Oh I forgot you want the government to do it. Paying for options. Oh you want the government to do. Why did all the original private sector backers stop giving the Port Authority money? Oh the government should do it. Start telling the truth about the Port Authority.
Are you the Randy Griffin that took out a $4,000. ad in the Newsminer to try and persuade the Governor to not sell the jet Frank bought because as you put it it wasn't the jet's fault it was so expensive? Are you the same Randy Griffin that broadcast on the air this week how much you paid in Federal income taxes last year ($12,416.86)and that you were living off your 401k? C'mon man, I don't need to know this stuff. That is your personal biz. I bet I know why the original backers dropped out. If you are as smart as you think you are you could figure it out for yourself. Here's a hint....phone rings at the Backers office, a producer is on the line, says "hey there backer, get away from the Port authority or watch your refinery in Scotland go without crude." Another phone rings in Buffets office, lawyers tellin Warren, "lots of those lawmakers in Alaska are going to jail, they're too crooked to do deals with. They won't give the Port Authority a fair shake, don't invest."
Anyone else have a guess as to how the Producers went about destroying the Port Authority?
The only major hurdle to the port authority is the export license to sell our gas to Asia for twice the going rate of the US. I will be looking for the numbers on this scenario from the AGIA team. The fact that the Ted and Don show have not given Alaska any support in this is no real surprise to anyone.
Where in this deal is the part about supplying Alaskan's with cheap
LNG to heat their homes in the winter or fuel their vehicle's?
Alaskan's need access to cheap fuel and it looks like, it it just
going to pass them on by to heat the homes and fuel the cars
of the rich, in the lower 48!
Unless ALASKANS are served first; then NO DEAL and out
with Palin, till we get a governor who is
looking out for Alaskan's interest first.
Soon, our economy will come to a halt; unless we can tab
into a source of cheap fuel, to run it on.
With the 1.2 billion she is going to give to Alaskans; could
be better spent buying the North Pope refinery and giving
gas to the people who need it the most, low income, single
mothers/fathers, seniors and others, who can't afford it.
I say, Alaskans first, then we'll think about the others. I do hope we
will build a deep water port on the North Slope, to ship LNG
via tanker to the Asian market. Such in case the
terrorist decide to attack the pipeline.
I also hope an infrastructure will be built at the same time.
A modern four land highway, a high speed monorail and a bike
path, to explore nature's trails along the way. These are times
for big money, big thinkers and great visionaries, to help plot
the future of our State, for the next hundred years.
This is OUR chance to open up the interior; instead
of Anchorage, hogging the show and getting all of the money.
burke.
Small Bob guess again, you are wrong. Just goes to show 5050 and you send out cheap shots rather than debate. Willing to attack another's reputation rather than debate an issue. You are no better than what you claim big oil companies are. You owe this Randy an apology.
Apology? I'm sorry you feel that way? Does that work? I asked if you were that Randy Griffin. If you're not him then you aren't the guy that did the things he did. You're a different guy. Did you want me to apologize for asking you if you're that guy? Let's try this. I feel sorry for you. Does that work? And will the Real Randy stop telling everyone how much he paid in income taxes last year on radio talk shows. sheeshhh! And I don't even know anything about the Port Authority, just what I read in the news. I'm sorry I don't know more. There ya go. That's gotta work.
So we allow outside interests (lower 48 & others) wipe out the fish in Alaska. Then sell it back to us (with shipping & Alaska surcharge).
We allow outside interests to pump the oil out Alaska for a few bucks. Then sell it back to us (with shipping & Alaska surcharge).
Now we're going to pay the Canadians to pump the gas out of Alaska. Which we will need them to sell back to us (with shipping & Alaska surcharge).
So do we have a big "red light" for the state to let the world know what kind of people we are? Or should we just stop paying for education since we don't learn much?
The governor's advisors tell us it's because "there’s a market in Chicago that pays more". Should I charge my friends & kids the same rate taxis in Chicago charge, because "that's the market price".
Yes, I voted for Palin on this issue. If she acts like Frank, I'll vote accordingly.
I dont know why but there is something smelly about this whole thing, either that or I still have a taste in my mouth from how the original pipeline has been managed.
""These are times for big money, big thinkers and great visionaries, to help plot the future of our State, for the next hundred years.
This is OUR chance to open up the interior""
burke... yup, I feel the same way about this.
..if ya review the 26pages of moose-drool that I've dribbled into the Nose-Miner since January you'll see I got hooked on the idea of using plastic-pipes for being an important part of Alaska's infrastructure.
In 1980 I helped build 2miles of urethane-foam insulated polyethylene waterpipe for the city of Kaltag. I was one of the guys that actually built the pipe in the factory.
Nowdays worldwide many different kinds of plastic-pipe is being used to ship oil&gas, just one of many is the Soluforce product>>
http://www.soluforce.net/
New innovations & inventions are happening daily, and Alaskans must be quick to adapt to many options before spending big wads of cash on a soon to be obsolete overpriced technology.
It's possible a 2000mile big-steel-pipeline will be the WPPSS of Alaska before or soon after it gets built.
[many things might happen in these uncertain times, including a NorthAmerican financial collapse]..and the pipeline itself might be the "big slurpy straw" that broke the garbage trucks back.
==============
Here's another twist that a friend emailed to me today...
http://www.pnl.gov/news/release.asp?id=3...
Halting methane squanderlust
Researchers determine structure of catalyst that converts methane to more useful compounds
RICHLAND, Wash. – The pipes that rise from oil fields, topped with burning flames of natural gas, waste fossil fuels and dump carbon dioxide into the air. In new work, researchers have identified the structure of a catalytic material that can turn methane into a safe and easy-to-transport liquid. The insight lays the foundation for converting excess methane into a variety of useful fuels and chemicals.
====================
Here's a new technology that many are saying that "overnight this invention has pushed Peak-Oil back 400years"
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q...
With a development like this, the NorthAmerican market for Alaska's artificially-overpriced gas&oil might collapse...
...and Asia will be the only major market besides Alaska's own needs.
Tar-Sands?
What about using Alaska's gas for "washing" Canada's TAR-BABY ??
..bad idea.
Better idea-->
http://www.google.com/search?num=100&...
--
http://www.google.com/search?num=100&...
Maybe TransCanada will make Alaskans look like clowns when they begin using their own plastic-pipe rtp-gaslines....
http://www.mackenziegasproject.com/thePr...
2years time will tell if the State of Alaska is complicit with Corporations and/or Military in conspiring to deny the Citizens of Alaska the right of reasonable access to Alaska's natural resources.
.......flash/rumble
>Have folks had enough yet? Let's give Palin the boot!
Man, you're not an Alaskan are you? And I'm not talking about where you live.
Whoa on the LNG - You only Liquefy NG for transporting it via truck or ship. That's the beauty of our NS Gas, it's (relatively) ready to burn straight out of the ground. Not only that, but having an All Alaska Route and an LNG terminal in Valdez is still doable, even with the TransCanada pipeline. They would only compete for the amount used 'in State' which isn't much compared to overall amount shipped outside. Of course, only one would get the State 'incentive'.
But at the end of the day, the Leaseholders of teh gas are the ones holding the cards, and they know it.
Seems like there is a concerted campaign against both Palin and the All Alaska line. Now which self declared conservatives are against both?
How quickly people turn on others. Sarah Palin has done nothing but good for us, and now like a pack of rabid dogs, people are turning on her like she were our arch-enemy!! Let the legislative process work, contact our lawmakers, let your voice be heard, but Sarah Palin is by far and away the best Gov. I have seen in my nearly 3 decades here. We still have some highly intelligent people here like Fairbanksgas and Distant Thunder, just to mention a couple, that seem to have a handle on making sure our interest are served. I think Sarah Palin has surrounded herself with people of this same caliber. If you think otherwise, write her, write your legislator, but we can keep this discussion civil....cant we??
YJohn,
I'm with you on the civility but quite concerned about short-sightedness I'm seeing initially here.
It will be a slugfest getting the best deal and I am not in total stride with what I'm seeing here yet.....
I really worry about this one time opportunity going sideways and I've seen this place stripped for many years.
For all the wealth Alaska has produced for others (including Donald Trump's grandfather) it's hard to see why we have such a tough time taking care of ourselves and have never gotten around to having a much higher standard of living.
This is the big one to not be making a mistake on. I'll be starting my sixth decade as a 3rd generation local here shortly so I too have a vested stake in the future.
There was a time when people in this State knew how to take care of themselves, how to live in the wilderness and to minimize their lifestyles. People hunted, trapped and fished. They did not depend on the big trucks and SUV, but dogs and their own leg power. They did not even depend on electricity and oil or gas, wood was fine. This type of life style was even going on in the 60's. People were not afraid of the unkown and did not expect anyone to take care of them, but themselves. Take a look around this State and see what oil has done to it. The old timers know. Do you really want this gas development and Alaska to become another California? As people use to say, TAPS (trans Alaska Pipe line Service), play TAPS for Alaska. I have yet to hear any of you talk about the social impact that will happen.
Keep in mind when you say cheap energy that it means the state is subsidizing the gas. And they can't subsidize Fairbanks unless they do it for the whole state. So what is the price of cheap energy? Based on Palin's proposal, $1.2 billion and counting. So if a gas line is built by the state it must bring to Juneau $1.2 billion to break even and for Fairbanks to get its share of cheap energy. So the best bet for Alaskans is always the project that brings the most dollars to Juneau. Cheap energy is expensive.
ArcticAir.... "Cheap energy is expensive" [oxymoron]
Only if you get your BTU's out of a Cash Register...
Real Alaskans are smart enough to get their BTU's from Mother Nature..
..but then some interloper burned down Katalla in 1933, and Texas invaded Alaska.
Natural Gas comes out a gasline,
just like a fish comes off a fishline,
it doesn't come out of a Cash Register.
Now, suppose Trident Seafoods conspired with Icicle and all the other fish-packers to prevent Alaskans from being to catch their own fish.
.....tell me why this metaphor fails to work..
..I'm sure you can tell me why right off the top of your head.
It's easy for you isn't it?
Did you ever see a lawyer try to get a gallon of milk out of a cow?
.......flash/rumble
D.T.
As a Matter of fact I did see that lawyer/cow scenario and the cow said when dry, "So Moo Me!!"
Icicle and Trident?
Well with Ted the Fixer's help they were able to bring back the company store, might as well have been fish traps because they now have their Seattle pretty boys on the "Deadliest Snatch" hawking Russian crab via Wal Mart and calling it Alaskan.
Oh yeah, they got caught, didn't they?
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