Posted on 12/02/2008 6:12:57 AM PST by Charlie Fairbanks
The image of a very popular governor and possible 2012 rival hangs over the President-elect as he establishes a professional relationship with her. BHO is in a Catch-22. On one hand, he has an obligation to work with her on the natural gas pipeline project. On the other, if he helps make it a success, does he hand a potential rival an accomplishment?
(Excerpt) Read more at menforpalin.com ...
Today, 40 of the nation’s governors and governors-elect will join BHO at Independence Hall in Philadelphia for an economic summit. Many prominent governors will arrive in Philly with their hats in hand. Many states have structural deficits as as the result of decades of overindulgence in Great Society programs. Big government social programs have become unsustainable. Instead of cutting their budgets and payrolls, some of these governors - like New Jersey’s Jon Corzine - are going to lobby the President-elect for their own bailout.
Governor Palin does not come to Philadelphia with an unsustainable budget. With Alaska’s fiscal house in order, she is free to lobby for the pipeline. The proposed pipeline would parallel the route of the existing trans-Alaska oil pipeline to a point south of Fairbanks. It would then follow the Alaska Highway, continuing through northern British Columbia to link with the Alberta Hub on TransCanada’s pipeline grid in northwestern Alberta. The Alaska section would be approximately 750 miles in length, with six compressor stations at start-up and at least five natural gas delivery points in Alaska. The Canadian section to Alberta would be approximately 965 miles, with ten compressor stations at start-up and eight intermediate delivery points in the Yukon.
Sarah was the irresistable force in Alaska that moved the pipeline project through the legislature and through the bidding process. The pipeline is a signature accomplishment for her. If it continues to succeed, then it will be a signature accomplishment if she runs for president. So whither Obama?
The pipeline will help the nation move toward energy independence in an environmentally responsible manner. BHO has promised to move the nation toward energy independence. BHO has promised a more perfect union in which he works across party lines to accomplish things for the American people. Will he help? If he does not, he breaks major campaign promises in a very palpable way, in which case he would be exposed on the 2012 campaign trail. If he does help, he may be helping to create a resume for a 2012 rival. If BHO is truly a new type of intelligence, he will figure it out.
For Governor Palin, it is a no-lose opportunity to use her new found fame to benefit her constituents, the people of Alaska.
Why does Obama have to work with Sarah on the Alaska Highway Pipeline? It's privately financed and the natural gas is coming from the North Slope. There is no need for the federal government at this point.
Really, what price does the 2009 Alaska budget need to be balanced and what is the predicted 2009 price?
With oil prices on a relentless downhill slide, state trims revenue forecast
http://newsminer.com/news/2008/nov/25/oil-prices-relentless-downhill-slide-state-trims-r/
November 25, 2008
With oil prices down by nearly $100 a barrel since summer, the state has quietly trimmed its oil-price forecast.
But the question remains: Is the latest forecast too high?
The revenue sources book to be released Dec. 9 includes a fall 2008 forecast of $77 a barrel for the fiscal year, according to figures posted on the Alaska Department of Revenue Web site.
It will be FERC regulated pipeline.
True, but the pipeline is a done deal in terms of the whether they can do it or not. They are long past that and I don't see where Sarah would have to work with Obama on the issue as the article implies?
If you mean technically feasible, yes. But there are many, many federal permits and related filings to be completed.
I mean done deal in that the leases are in place and have been for 35 years, the financing is in place, it's cleared the Alaska legislature, and agreements to build it with TransCanada are in place. I don't see where Obama comes into play other that some federal regulatory stuff that would be routine at this point?
Agreed. If anything, he will try to put up road blocks. < sarcasm > Only T-Boones windmill farm is acceptible source of energy.
BO has no obligation to work with anyone if he chooses to ignore them or even harm their interests.
Environmential impact study for the gas plant, pipeline and compressor stations. Right of way for the new pipeline are some quick examples.
The agreements are just a license to construct an Alaska natural gas pipeline project pursuant to the Alaska Gas Inducement Act. It is not an approval of location, engineering, size or any other design requirements.
“I don’t see where Obama comes into play other that some federal regulatory stuff that would be routine at this point? “
You are very naiive.
The devil is in the details - EXACTLY the obscure “federal regulatory stuff” that is supposedly “routine”.
Do you really think the democrats are going to let something like this go through without opposition? Do you really think they are going to let Ms. Palin put that feather in her hat without a fight?
- John
Now that does make sense to me. Perfect sense.
Well he is a bit of a Popinjay.
What I find intriguing is that there is a menforPalin blog.
If that’s true, it’s the most interesting wrinkle in the whole Alaska/energy independence/Palin story. I posited a similar scenario about a week ago, not knowing that such things as the developement of the pipeline could even be done without Federal government interference/oversight/control. If it indeed can, then it is one major area in which Palin can make a name for herself WITHOUT the “blessings” of the New Administration
, which is now technically known as “the Federal Government”. Progress in this area would ENSURE Palin’s political future as a leader of a new GOP. If she manages to create some progress with the pipeline, and is NOT thwarted by the Obama Administration, who, for political reasons entirely, would NOT want to see any positive progress in this area, it would be nearly revolutionary.
BUT the electorate would have to be made aware of it.
This is the kind of bull crap that really frosts me. Don't ask whether the American consumer is helped by the pipeline. Oh, hell no. Do all you can to delay it and make it run over budget and anything else you can think of because that will keep a rival politician from putting a feather in her cap.
Folks, this Republic is doomed.
Nothing in the world's largest civilian project in the history of the world will be routine.
In addition to the FERC initial certificates, this project will require:
- initial binding Open Season within 18 months after issuance of the AGIA License
- To apply for FERC approval to use the pre-filing procedures set out in 18 C.F.R. § 157.21 by June 2010.
- To apply for FERC CPCN to authorize the construction and operation of the Alaska Section and GTP by December 2011.
- Federal Right-of-Way Grant (“Federal ROW”) issued pursuant to section 28 of the Mineral Leasing Act, 30 U.S.C. § 185.
- State Right-of-Way Lease (“State ROW”) issued pursuant to the Alaska Right of Way Leasing Act, AS 38.35.10 – AS 38.35.260.
- Federal Wetlands Permits (“404 Permits”) issued pursuant to section 404 of the Clean Water Act, 33 U.S.C. § 1344, with required State water quality certification pursuant to section 401 of the Clean Water Act, U.S.C. § 1341.
- Coastal Zone Management consistency determination issued pursuant to the Alaska Coastal Management Program, AS 46.39.010, et. seq. and AS 46.40.010, et. seq.
- Clean Air Act, Title V, Air Quality Operating Permit issued pursuant to AS 46.14.010 et. seq.
- Authorization to construct and operate the GTP under applicable State and/or federal law.
In Canada:
- Leave to Proceed order (NPA §§ 7, 12 and Schedule III to the NPA, as amended) from the Designated Officer (“DO”) for the APP.
- Designated Officer Approval and Certification of the various Plans, Profile, and Book of Reference (NPA § 7; NEB Act §§ 36, 38) required to ensure compliance with current standards.
- National Energy Board (NEB) Approval of the Tolling Methodology and Tariffs (Part IV).
- NEB Leave to Open (NEB Act § 47).
- Other Federal approvals, including authorizations under the Fisheries Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. F-14, the Navigable Waters Protection Act, R.S.C. 1985, c. N-22, and the Species at Risk Act, S.C. 2002, c. 29.
- Provincial and Territorial approvals.
- although Foothills has easement rights for the entire APP route through Yukon, it will need to obtain rights to land in British Columbia and Alberta.
more info at: http://www.transcanada.com/pdf/company/APP_Application_Executive_Summary.pdf
If anyone has "Standing" in the BC issue it is Sarah!
Go get em Sarah!!!! Save our Republic!
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