Jackson Free Press

The Associated Press just published a long investigative piece on Sarah Palin's vaunted pipeline success—and the parts she's not talking about. It starts:

Gov. Sarah Palin's signature accomplishment - a contract to build a 1,715-mile pipeline to bring natural gas from Alaska to the Lower 48—emerged from a flawed bidding process that narrowed the field to a company with ties to her administration, an Associated Press investigation shows.

Beginning at the Republican National Convention in August, the McCain-Palin ticket has touted the pipeline as an example of how it would help America achieve energy independence.

"We're building a nearly $40 billion natural gas pipeline, which is North America's largest and most expensive infrastructure project ever, to flow those sources of energy into hungry markets," Palin said during the Oct. 2 vice presidential debate.

Despite Palin's boast of a smart and fair bidding process, the AP found that her team crafted terms that favored only a few independent pipeline companies and ultimately benefited the winner, TransCanada Corp. (TRP)

And contrary to the ballyhoo, there's no guarantee the pipeline will ever be built; at a minimum, any project is years away, as TransCanada must first overcome major financial and regulatory hurdles.
In interviews and a review of records, the AP found:

— Instead of creating a process that would attract many potential builders, Palin slanted the terms away from an important group - the global energy giants that own the rights to the gas.

— Despite promises and legal guidance not to talk directly with potential bidders, Palin had meetings or phone calls with nearly every major candidate, including TransCanada.

— The leader of Palin's pipeline team had been a partner at a lobbying firm where she worked on behalf of a TransCanada subsidiary. Also, that woman's former business partner at the lobbying firm was TransCanada's lead private lobbyist on the pipeline deal, interacting with legislators in the weeks before the vote to grant TransCanada the contract. Plus, a former TransCanada executive served as an outside consultant to Palin's pipeline team.

— Under a different set of rules four years earlier, TransCanada had offered to build the pipeline without a state subsidy; under Palin, the company could receive a maximum $500 million.

Previous Comments

ID

139751

Comment

Palin was on her way to becomming the world's most renowned dictator. She needed a break from Alaskan government. Why was she (Palin) so eager to blow the whistle on the old Senator when she too was using the system for personal gains? Didn't she get her home built FREE: The home she claims that "First DUDE" and several friends built? Just asking.

Author

justjess

Date

2008-10-27T10:06:03-06:00

ID

139957

Comment

Palin said today in Ohio before some 200 people or so that Washington has failed America with 30 years of failed enenrgy policies. The Governor of Ohio said in response that John McCain was there some 26 or so of those years, so he surmises Palin has resorted to attacking McCain at this point. To which Palin said, " I didn't know that, I thought it was shorter."

Author

Walt

Date

2008-10-29T11:09:17-06:00

ID

140102

Comment

PALIN'S PIPELINE TO NOWHWERE... There are a couple of VERY IMPORTANT other factors as well. 1] The pipeline travels through a foreign country namely CANADA. Security of supply is an issue. There have been several pipeline bombings in the area where the pipeline would eventually go through. Follow this link: http://www.dose.ca/news/story.html?id=685927d1-7d48-4931-b3e8-a333ace78ece 2] There was a competing proposal to take the gas out on the existing energy corridor to Valdez Alaska and then by LNG tanker to the Western seaboard of the US. WHY is this more secure all american other option not being talked about?

Author

LMilford

Date

2008-11-02T11:35:24-06:00

ID

140108

Comment

Great research, LMiford. These are truly things that make you go hummmmmmm!

Author

justjess

Date

2008-11-03T09:38:43-06:00