Palin Matchmakes for a Gas Line
Governor Sarah Palin is sleeping with the enemy of many Alaskans. Her trip to Houston, Texas to discuss a merged project with TransCanada and Exxon Mobil betrays Alaskans still reeling from last year’s devastating Supreme Court verdict. It flies in the face of anyone with a memory of 20 years let alone last June. Exxon promised to “make Alaskans whole” and they never did; just another broken promise piled on top of all the others.
Last year, Palin’s AGIA (Alaska Gasline Inducement Act) passed into law, awarding TransCanada $500 million in state funds to build the 1,700 mile pipeline. Through the support of the Democrats she was able to pass the law, earning her the title of “socialist” from her Republican critics. The same Democratic lawmakers were thrown under the “Hate Talk Express” during the election. I support a gasline, and supported AGIA when it was Exxon-free. It was the only way to have a chance for an All-Alaska gasline.
TransCanada doesn’t hold any leases of gas or oil on the North Slope. ConocoPhillips and BP; an unlikely couple, birthed the “Denali” project. They want to build a gasline without the $500 million in state funds. The whole point of the producers not owning the pipeline was to allow the state more control over being double billed; Alaska is, after all, a resource owner state.
A huge reversal in the administration’s stance with Exxon came in January of this year. Let’s just call it foreplay. Exxon and its partners had been locked out after state regulators withdrew their leases on state land. They pulled them because Exxon sat on the 106,201-acre Point Thomson for over three decades. Basically, you snooze, you lose.
Exxon came back and said they really would develop it this time and start producing by 2014. Scout’s honor. Promise. Alaska Natural Resources Commissioner Tom Irwin said “thanks, but no thanks”, saying he couldn’t trust Exxon to do what they promised. Well, the administration and Exxon had a Dr. Phil sort of make up session and flipped, allowing Exxon to keep their leases.
It boggled the mind. Where was the new found trust with the company who strung Alaskans along with 20 years of litigation after the Exxon Valdez disaster? When the governor was quizzed by Katie Couric about what US Supreme Court decisions she hadn’t agreed with other than Roe v Wade, she blanked. I was stunned. Baker v Exxon! June 25, 2008! THREE MONTHS EARLIER! You know, the verdict the conservative “activist judges” on the Supreme Court set precedent and forever capped negligent corporation’s punitive damages?! WHAT?! Their initial $5 billion dollar judgment had been reduced to $500 million. A whopping ten cents on the dollar. By the way, the herring run in Prince William Sound never did come back. Exxon extinguished it. Now we are paying them?
With the announcement of Exxon climbing into bed with TransCanada for the $500 million inducement to build the gasline, the Palin Administration’s January roll over makes more sense.
As someone who helped clean up the negligent, massive, environmental catastrophe known as the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill, and fished her whole life, take it from me: Doing business with Exxon is like letting the guy who date raped your daughter rent your basement. But, hey, at least we have a tenant.
58 aha Says:
June 12th, 2009 at 1:35 AM
Is the State picking up all these travelling expenses? What a shame…lol
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Exxon Airlines.
Is the State picking up all these travelling expenses? What a shame…lol
Wally Hickel on the Exxon deal: “Palin is putting her national ambitions first”
When Governor Sarah Palin was elected in 2006, we believed she would put Alaska first. But once elected, she put Sarah first.
Because of her national ambitions, she is promoting an agenda that will allow Outside corporations to dominate Alaska’s resources, including our energy and the jobs it provides.
Over my objection, the Governor negotiated a contract last year with TransCanada under AGIA, supported by the legislature, that will now provide ExxonMobil Corporation with half of $500 million of state funds.
I have urged the Governor many times to lead our state in another direction. We should build and own a natural gas pipeline from Prudhoe Bay to Valdez and ship Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) to world markets.
http://community.adn.com/adn/node/141753
What do you know? Wally Hickel agrees with me.
As Shannyn has said, you watch if the line gets built, it will stop at the oil shale.
It amazes me that so many folks – even Alaskans – seem to think this pipeline is about oil.
Keep this in mind: Palin’s lies about “hungry markets” are utter rubbish. The Lower 48 is wallowing in a surfeit of natural gas – with no market at all for it. Mrs Palin is merely trying to make a name for herself. She is going to look a fool and a liar once more, because nobody wants Alaska’s natural gas. But I guess she figures she’ll have gone on to bigger and better things by the time her useless pipeline is rusting over.
The stupid woman would be a damned sight better off switching all of Alaska from oil to natural gas – processed at home, creating a new industry – and forgetting the white elephant pipeline. But she can’t tour nationwide on the back of that.
How much money do you suppose she is giving Exxon to help her out of her embarrassment?
Thanks Canadian Neighbour! I feel better now.
I don’t think that Exxon has had to grease any palms in regard to Palin. They did not need to do that.
She needed some credibility in regard to this pipeline, so it is more likely that she made concessions (taxes, ownership, etc) to bring them on board to make it appear as though it was/is moving forward.
The bigger issue: this project is NOT financially feasible at this point, that was pointed out on numerous occasions recently, the situation remains the same. Natural gas supplies in the lower 48 (infrastructure already in place) are being developed and are able to supply the nation’s needs.
All of this will come out, it will become obvious, it will be exposed, but the problem is that it needs to come out & be pointed out by reputable news organizations & oil/gas experts (and no, the gov is NOT one of those) before she can attempt to use this to buy herself another term as gov of AK. I believe that she knows that she has no future in national politics without another term as gov of this state (maybe even with another term), so she is likely bolstering her appeal via continuing to bill herself as the natural gas pipeline messiah. That works for a lot of Alaskans who have dreams about high-paying oil jobs, even the temporary ones that come with the building process, though there would be long-term jobs associated with the pipeline as well.
But I don’t think it’s going to happen. If it does it will not happen thru any efforts of the gov, it will happen in spite of her efforts (which are short-sighted & not in Alaska’s short- or long-term best interests). As soon as she is out of the picture as gov of Alaska look for Exxon, BP & COP to broker a deal that will be extremely lucrative for all of them, and likely AGIA will be jettisoned and TransCanada paid off.
Let’s face it, there is NOTHING that she has done for this state that has been in its best interests. And before anyone shouts out that she has twisted arms to get the oil companies to pay more taxes — HA HA HA, that only works when oil in indecently high, right now we are getting LESS than we were before her arm twisting.
Good grief – here we go again … follow the money – how much is the State paying for this, including the money that Palin has already had the State put in – how much is the Federal Government putting in – how much is Canada contributing, government and or private – how much are the private companies putting towards the project, Exxon – any one else? Any other Palin contributor’s out there under an unknown name – corruption? Golly gee – you can smell in the air and it stinks of high heaven ( never understood that saying since I’ve never smelled high heaven )
Let’s make sure that the pipeline doesn’t run up against volcanos or major migratory routes or major population centers, God forbid if the Spotted Owl with has a nesting site in line in the pipeline. It goes on and on and on –
Palin just plain sucks, no ifs and or butts and or anything else …
Dr. Patois,
There is existing pipeline into the lower 48.
http://www.transcanada.com/Alaska/pdf/Alaska_Zoom3pages.pdf
Wanderlust, sorry, I guess that would be the North American pipeline system.
Wanderlust, Thanks for the information. Is there existing transportation for the gas from the tar sands to the lower 48 or is that something else that has to be negotiated and created?
So Trans- Canada’s budget goes from 83 million to 150 with Exxon’s support but without disclosing the amount of dollars are really Exxon’s. And now the state goes from matching 50-50 to 90-10 in 2010. Somebody wants to eat up 500 million dollars. The oddest part of the whole timing of this is that Murkowski and Begich got involved with pressure of their own, when anyone who knows anything about the gas industry knows that the lower 48 is now awash in gas because of the new technology that allows for the economical development of gas trapped in shale. The potential recoverable amounts of gas is off the charts. So who is it that needs the gas on the north slope? The obvious answer is Alaska. And the answer to our needs is not AGIA, it is a bullet line. If George Bush was talking he was lying. If Sarah Palin is talking she is lying. If Exxon is talking they are lying. Today’s Gospel truth, although never under oath, is tomorrow’s bullshit.
# Forthcoming radio actualities from today’s AGIA press conf. Clear explanations & answers re: exciting BIG news on AK’s gasline announcementabout 2 hours ago from TwitterBerry
Anyone know what she is saying here and what “radio actualities” are? Just what the heck is a “radio actuality”? Anyone???
What makes you think she won’t buy a home in Texas and move there?
Todd is a wimp and will do what she says or maybe he stays in Alaska, she can romp all over Big Springs!
Ellie May made a deal with the devil, and may she rot in effing hell for doing it.
Q: Where is Sarah and what the hell is she doing?
A: Still in Texas and scheduled to appear on “Today” Show With Matt Lauer tomorrow.
Tell me how this benefits Alaska???
seattlefan Says “I was wondering the same thing, and just as puzzling is why did she spend Alaska’s 50th Year Statehood Anniversary in NY?”
Inquiring minds want to know. Palin, hoofed around the state for weeks signing every Tom, Dick and Henry, page put in front of her nut for this HISTORIC event she goes to Texas…Texas, a place she wouldn’t birth her high risk pregnancy in because they are cotton pickers or something stupid like that.
Exxon won’t have to “make Alaska whole” or pay up for any past deeds.
But I’m sure they’ll slip some grease to Ellie May for her 2012 hopeless presidential bid.
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OMG, I was so afraid you’d say that, not you, anyone saying this. =( I just keep shaking my head in utter despair.
Exxon won’t have to “make Alaska whole” or pay up for any past deeds.
But I’m sure they’ll slip some grease to Ellie May for her 2012 hopeless presidential bid.
Dr. Patois,
I don’t think that either statement is incorrect. The producers have always made it clear that they prefer a gasline to go through Canada and into the North American pipeline system.
There are others, however, that believe very strongly that the gas should be shipped to Valdez for shipment overseas as LNG. Anyone thinking that an LNG project out of Alaska would be delivering gas into North America needs to do some homework. That said, to satisfy many of the critics who refuse to look at the data, Transcanada has said it will ship gas wherever the producers want to sell it.
I think the disconnect you’re seeing is that – you’re right – an LNG project would not bring gas to the lower 48, but no one really involved in the project thinks gas will be committed to the LNG line.. It is purely a political pacifier. After all, why would BP and Conoco be pushing a competing line through Canada if they planned to ship gas overseas. The project would be more expensive, everyone would make less money, it’s a much more difficult project to put together, and they probably couldn’t get an export from the Feds.
Aaaanyhow, that’s my 2 cents for the day..
austintx Says:
June 11th, 2009 at 4:43 PM
Why is the Governor of Alaska signing a pipeline deal that affects her state in Texas ??
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I was wondering the same thing, and just as puzzling is why did she spend Alaska’s 50th Year Statehood Anniversary in NY?
Do you think Ellie May included in this bid to Exxon that they must pay up for prior deeds before they get the contract? If not, the Ellie May if full of sh!t, and truly cares nothing for all the wrong deeds the Exxon did in the past to Alaska.
Why is the Governor of Alaska signing a pipeline deal that affects her state in Texas ?? And Todd made some snarky ass comment about not wanting Trig born in Texas as one of the reasons sarah flew back. Alaska , you’ve been punked.
Great post, Shannyn! The bidding process was manipulated, narrowing bidding down to one bidder, TransCanada. Now TC is contracting with Exxon. If my memory serves me correctly, Conoco Philips and BP tried to bid initially before dropping out; don’t think Exxon ever tried.
Thanks, AKM!!
@Wanderlust #21:
I am not an Alaskan, but the issues I see with this particular pipeline are (1) Alaska threw 500M into the project without a guarantee it will ever be built; TransCanada is a broker, not an oil company, (2) a good chunk of the pipeline is planned to go across Native Canadian tribal lands, and some tribes do not want it- Palin never talked to or negotiated with any of them (they are very experienced in delaying and litigating), and (3) by the time this might be built, gas fields in CO/WY, and states further east like PA will be producing all the gas/oil needed- especially the eastern states, without big transportation costs to get to markets.
I agree with you Hedgewytch…..this thing is huge and filthy dirty. Legislators were whispering two weeks ago to be looking for a bogus announcement regarding Exxon. Palin does nothing in the open. Secrecy suits her style. She will not survive this one.
This is the deal that will finally take Sarah down. Sooo many questions regarding getting into bed with Exxon. How much of this deal is known to the State Legislators? How much is it REALLY gonna cost the state? How much benefit is actually going to be realized by the citizens of the state? Why all the sneaking around and secrecy. (Still waiting for that transparency Sarah.) With the new boys in the Federal department, shenanagins such as what was business as usual in this state between oil industies and the governor’s office will not pass unnoticed this time.
OK, probably a bit naive of me, but here goes:
Is there any way Alaska can negate the deal? Has GINO the power to solely go ahead and sign something like this – without the Legs?
14 Isabella Says:
June 11th, 2009 at 1:48 PM
Exactly how much attention do you think Palin, gave and remember on a good day she has the attention span of a two year old.
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On her best day , my 6yr.old nephew could smoke her ass in a game of 3 card monte.
Free market capitalism
Exxon behaved badly because they are a “for profit” company with shareholders and lawyers. ConocoPhillips, BP, Shell et.al. would surely have behaved the same way. It’s the American way.
“When the governor was quizzed by Katie Couric about what US Supreme Court decisions she hadn’t agreed with other than Roe v Wade, she blanked. I was stunned. Baker v Exxon! …Doing business with Exxon is like letting the guy who date raped your daughter rent your basement. But, hey, at least we have a tenant.”
First, I’m surprised you were stunned. Since that Couric interview, I’ve thought she was up to something by not naming that case.
Second, Levi did sleep with her underage daughter and he was living in her house. Does that house have a basement?
Lynnrockets love your songs.Texas is the second Most corrupt state in the union Alaska being first sorry to say an signing anything in Texas is asking for trouble because their court system especially Harris county is so corrupt. I have asked the republicans to look into this but so far nothing but at least two answered me back. I just don’t think the courts should be political and be biased because of who donated money to their reelection campaigns
lynnrockets – you never cease to amaze !! I bow to the master.
Thank you…..please may I have another ??
Setting aside the outrageousness of Gino’s deal with Exxon (I think Shannyn’s analogy is spot on), the question I have had since Gino came on the national scene is this. People have touted these gaslines as being essential to U.S. consumption and national security, no one louder than HERSELF. However, I found this article in ADN from last July. Hickel Ad Threat Riles Palin
http://community.adn.com/node/126957
From Gino:
“If, in fact, LNG is economically better for Alaska , it will get its chance. TC Alaska has made clear, repeatedly, that they will build a line to Valdez if customers show up at an open season. Let’s be clear, though, that export to Asian markets is the only viable configuration for an LNG project. To suggest – as your ad does – that LNG from Alaska will reach US markets is disingenuous at best.”
Unless I am misunderstanding something, Gino is either lying in the above statement or she lied during the campaign. If a gasline is built will there be no export to the lower 48?
Oops! Sorry, I meant to post that on the open thread.
It has been awhile, so I thought maybe a Palin song about oil would fit in here.
PIPE IN THE GASOLINE
(sung to the Eagles song “Life In The Fast Lane”)
Todd was a school dropout man, he was brain dead and then some
And Sarah was not really witty
They both hooked up and thought they looked so handsome
In the heart of Wasilla city
She had a nasty reputation and he was “First Dude”
The Palins were ruthless when it came to crude
They had one thing in common
With old Uncle Jed
She said, “Drill Baby Drill”
Till Mother Nature’s dead
Pipe in the gasoline
Sarah likes to wail and whine
Pipe in the gasoline
Are you with me so far?
The plan needed action, so said the dame
A bigger attraction than old John McCain
She called on Joe The Plumber
But she needed more pull
So she called on Joe Sixpack
Did the lipsticked pitbull
Those pipe-lines on the landscape, could seal her fate
So long as she had her cronies spreading politics of hate
The Palin fan base is not very bright
They are all old, straight and male and all of them are white, don’t doubt it
Pipe in the gasoline
Sarah likes to wail and whine
Pipe in the gasoline
Pipe in the gasoline
Oil revenue is fine
Pipe in the gasoline
(musical interlude)
Drilling and boring, blinded by thirst
She couldn’t handle Gibson
Katie Couric was worse
She said, listen people, don’t you know I’m “mavericky”?
I can see Russia from my house, even Tina Fey agrees
Mac said, call Rush Limbaugh, I think we’re gonna crash
The polls are heading downward and we need some instant cash
They were lookin’ for some leeway
The election was lost
She didn’t care there was oil ‘neath that permafrost, so it was
Pipe in the gasoline
Sarah likes to wail and whine
Pipe in the gasoline
Pipe in the gasoline
Oil revenue is fine
Pipe in the gasoline
Pipe in the gasoline
Pipe in the gasoline
@Doggonit #4:
The story is TransCanada, never going to build a pipeline without someone’s oil in it, signed with Exxon- who can take funds from TransCanada and pay Alaska some of the $500 M it owes–with money from Alaska. Is the state/anyone appealing the reduction in penalty?
I still think this pipeline won’t get built any time soon; too many Native Canada tribes don’t want it going through their lands, and they are very experienced in litigation and delay.
crystalwolf aka caligrl “my guess, she didn’t want the FEDS to take over, wasn’t that a threat by Begich is she didn’t get her azz in gear?”
Truly, as someone else pointed out…this is an outstanding situation with life altering consequences involving billions of dollars.
Palin, was milked. She is known to be brain dead. She is known to have no ties with anyone of power or reputation that has her back. We can see Angry Meg, her only “Friend” is dubious. Their exchange is one of two drowning rats clinging out of necessity. Exxon is out for payback, Transcanada is out for money & puffing their resume. It is going to go bad for AK.
Isabella Says:
June 11th, 2009 at 1:22 PM
Bigger picture.
How much you think Exxon & Transcanada guys DONATED to SarahPAC last night?
http://www.gov.state.ak.us/large_photo.php?id=343
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lookie here at all the “red devil” eye’s…especially hers…my guess, she didn’t want the FEDS to take over, wasn’t that a threat by Begich is she didn’t get her azz in gear?
I’m not clear what people really want here, other than to toss stones at the Governor. There are all sorts of things to criticize her on, but AGIA doesn’t seem to be one of them. Anyone who spent time listening to the testimony on this thing knows that the producers will ultimately need to be part of the gasline. All the producers testified to that, and the whole AGIA effort was supposed to put in place certain protections which specifically protected the state from the “double billing” (and other conflict of interest issues) arising from producer ownership of the pipeline.
Sure, there are a lot of reasons to dislike Exxon. I don’t think you’re going to find a lot of defenders for them in this state, but the fact of the matter is that they are a big player which has to play to make this thing happen.
I guess I just see this as a positive step forward.. and as evidence that the Governor’s initiative actually is working. I means, do people really want a gasline? Because if you do, this seems to be getting us there. The Denali project did exist before AGIA.. Exxon never played nice before.. and now we’ve got all the big boys doing exactly what we want them to do.
I just don’t understand when people are trying to make this so political already.
It’s not AGIA. It’s AGIA with Exxon. Show me an Alaskan who pays attention and also trusts Exxon, and I’ll show you a unicorn. We will get screwed. Again. AKM
Thanks for weighing in, Big Slick. I totally agree with you on this, which is why I thought it could possibly be the long-predicted iceberg!
BigSlick “How many Federal laws do you think might have been broken on this deal?”
Let’s do one of those jellybean in a jar counting raffles. Winner gets front row seat at Palin’s, federal sentencing.
mlaiuppa “The LAST place you want to sign a contract or go to court is in Texas.”
Another example of Alaska screwed by her EPIC FAILURE to have relationships of trust & respect with anyone.
How many Federal laws do you think might have been broken on this deal?
Interstate Racketeering has a pretty broad definition, and phone calls, e-mails, letters etc, all are individually countable items.
Wheeeeeee, this is gonna be fun!
Alaska was raped once by the Exxon oil spill.
Then they were raped again when Exxon dragged the litigation out for 20 years and then ducked their responsibility by getting the Supreme court to reduce the penalty to a measley $500 million, claiming poverty when they were making obscene record profits.
And now…Exxon is asking Alaska to bend over again. And Sarah is standing their helping them.
The LAST place you want to sign a contract or go to court is in Texas.
How could she be so stupid as to have anything to do with Exxon? Are they going to fund her 2012 presidential campaign?
What did I say a few months ago? To recall Palin? Has anyone made any movement on that? Hello?
Ok, I believe this will be the deal that takes her down.
The Feds will get into this one, for sure, for sure.
Sarah panicked when Begich pushed for a Fed solution. I bet she has “loose-ends” all over the place.
Someon cue Leo and Kate, there’s a Titanic scene a-coming!
austintx “Good luck. People that are a LOT smarter than sarah have been bamboozled by Exxon.”
How alert could she have been. Almost a week of back to back PAC partying. A solid two days trying to find ways to splash her name in the tabloids. Exactly how much attention do you think Palin, gave and remember on a good day she has the attention span of a two year old.
sarah did not sign a legal binding agreement , did she ?? If so , I hope for AK.’s sake that there was an adult present to explain to her what she was doing. The Texas landscape and court system is littered with Exxon “deals” gone awry. Especially royalty deals. They’ve been proven in court to keep two sets of books. Good luck. People that are a LOT smarter than sarah have been bamboozled by Exxon.
So it was Levi renting the basement?
That last line says it all.
While I so wish Stewart could use the Daily show to take both Exxon and Palin to task for this….I just don’t see the funny. I only see the tragedy.
Start printing the bumper stickers: “Don’t blame me. I didn’t vote for the slutty flight attendant.”
At least her hair looks combed. Every time I start to question my sanity because I dislike this woman so much, something like this comes along.
Remember when EXXON stated loud and clear during the hearings that AGIA would not work? What has changed since then? Nothing. We are being “played” folks. This all smells very fishy. Palin will do ANYTHING for poloitical gain.
Bigger picture.
How much you think Exxon & Transcanada guys DONATED to SarahPAC last night?
http://www.gov.state.ak.us/large_photo.php?id=343
Golly, for this big supposed coo…Palin, sure does appear NOT to be on cloud nine. Also too looks like she hasn’t showered or changed clothes since the Newt standoff dinner.
http://community.adn.com/sites/community.adn.com/files/images/AGIAExxon.preview.jpg
Perfect bedfellows
Why would an uber-right wing Republican politician not want to get in bed with an Oil company?
Wow, sleeping with the enemy, that’s sooooo slutty!
There isn’t much to this story. Although Sarah is trying to sign it to politican gain. TransCanada needed cash infusion, Exxon get some equilty. Somewhat negative story in that TransCanada has money problems but, that is a little negated by Exxon willing to take some ownership.
It certainly means nothing in regards to eventfully building the pipe line, if it is ever built. The contract with Alaska remains unchanged.
Wow. Graphic, but apt, analogy, Shannyn. Well written as usual.
This must come back to bite her in her in the bee-hind when she makes that big run for the WH.
That’s one rapist tenant you don’t need. She’s saying FU AK, it’s all about me and my kids you shouldn’t talk about as I talk about them and parade them all over.