Alaska

PRESENTED TO THE 26th Alaska Legislature January 22, 2009 -- Thank you. Our good Lieutenant Governor Parnell, President Stevens, Speaker Chenault, lawmakers, Native Leaders, my dear family, and all Alaskans. Thank you for this opportunity.

First, please join me in thanking those who protect our freedoms that allow us to assemble – our good men and women in uniform – they are America’s finest, our U.S. military.    » read more »

Renewable Sources by 2025

January 16, 2009, Anchorage, Alaska – Governor Sarah Palin today praised energy coordinator Steve Haagenson and the Alaska Energy Authority for the release of their comprehensive guide to energy in Alaska. The guide, Alaska Energy - - A First Step Toward Energy Independence, identifies energy options for communities across the state.

“While lower crude oil prices are reducing the costs of energy today, we must remain committed to achieving energy security for our future economic well-being,” Governor Palin said.

The guide identifies and prioritizes energy projects; puts into place legal and government structures needed to allow them to go forward; and identifies potential funding sources.    » read more »

Gov. Palin Thanks Lawmakers for Energy Package

August, 2008, Juneau, Alaska – Alaska Governor Sarah Palin today thanked state lawmakers for successfully addressing Alaskans’ energy needs in the recently completed special sessions, both in the short term by passing an energy relief package, and in the long term by authorizing a gasline license under the Alaska Gasline Inducement Act.

“The members of the Alaska Legislature worked honorably and diligently in the past two months to deal with these critical issues facing our state. I join with all Alaskans in recognizing and thanking them for their accomplishments,” Governor Palin said.

Resource Rebate and Energy    » read more »

WASHINGTON, D.C., July 16, 2008 -- In a Record of Decision issued today, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announced that it will make land available for oil and gas leasing in the northeast portion of the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska (NPR-A).

“This action sets the stage for a major lease sale this fall. This is welcome news at a time when Americans are paying record prices at the pump,” said C. Stephen Allred, Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals, in signing the ROD.

At the same lease sale, the BLM also plans to offer land in the northwest portion of the NPR-A.    » read more »

Washington, D.C., 07/18/2008 – Speaker Nancy Pelosi released the following statement on House Republicans’ planned trip to the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska this weekend:

“This weekend, House Republican leaders will take their allegiance to the President’s failed policies to a new latitude. They will follow him all the way to the pristine Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in northern Alaska instead of touring the 68 million acres of onshore and offshore lands that oil companies have already leased, but have not developed.    » read more »

Measure would level the playing field in energy futures markets

June 13, 2008 -- Washington, DC – In the wake of growing concerns about the impact of speculation, U.S. Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) have introduced legislation to require the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) to impose the same position limits on institutional investors to which other investors now are subject. This legislation would essentially level the playing field in energy futures markets.

Under current law, CFTC is required to impose speculation limits on the size of energy trader positions. However, in practice, CFTC regularly exempts institutional investors from position limits, when investors execute their trades through brokers or dealers.    » read more »

Governor Lauds Decision

June 3, 2008, Juneau, Alaska – Alaska Governor Sarah Palin today lauded the decision by the U.S. Energy Department to approve the application of Marathon Oil Corporation and ConocoPhillips for an extension of the Kenai Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Plant export license. The two companies filed for the extension in January 2007.

“In these times of economic uncertainty, this is great news for the state and its residents,” Governor Palin said. “This extension will secure a future for the LNG operation and is another step toward ensuring energy supplies and energy security for Alaska.”    » read more »

June 2, 2008, Anchorage, Alaska – Alaska Governor Sarah Palin today signed two bills that recognize and show appropriate appreciation for those who are serving our country in the military.

“I am pleased to sign these bills in recognition of the great and selfless service provided by the fine men and women of our military,” Governor Palin said.

Caribou hunting, Alaska: Photo by eskimojoe (CC)

“I know Alaskans are as appreciative as I am of the military and the efforts of those who serve to protect the freedoms we enjoy.”    » read more »

Vetoes $269 Million

May 23, 2008, Anchorage, Alaska – Alaska Governor Sarah Palin signed into law House Bill 310, the FY2009 Operating Budget; House Bill 312, the FY2009 Mental Health Operating and Capital Budget; and Senate Bill 221, the FY2009 Capital Budget. The Governor also signed House Bill 314, authorizing $315 million in general obligation bonds for transportation projects to appear before voters on the November 2008 general election ballot.    » read more »

LNG Options Still Available -- May 22, 2008, Anchorage, Alaska – Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, Department of Natural Resources Commissioner Tom Irwin and Department of Revenue Commissioner Patrick Galvin today released the AGIA Findings and Determination of the natural gas pipeline project as proposed by TransCanada Alaska Company, LLC and Foothills Pipelines Ltd. (TC Alaska) to the State of Alaska.

The commissioners’ conclusion and analysis of the natural gas pipeline project proposed by TC Alaska is that it merits issuance of the AGIA license because it maximizes the benefits to Alaskans.    » read more »

Alaska Filing to Challenge Decision

May 21, 2008, Anchorage, Alaska – Alaska Governor Sarah Palin announced today the state of Alaska intends to file suit in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia challenging U.S. Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne’s decision to list the polar bear as threatened under the Endangered Species Act.

Polar bear: Photo by Bruno D Rodrigues (CC)

“We appreciate the Secretary’s recognition that oil and gas activities are already regulated under the Marine Mammal Protection Act to prevent impacts to the polar bear and do not pose a threat to the polar bear,” Governor Palin said.    » read more »

Alaska Governor Pledges to Work for Conservation

May 14, 2008, Anchorage, Alaska – The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) announced its decision today to list the polar bear as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. U.S. Department of Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne called Alaska Governor Sarah Palin this morning to inform her of the USFWS decision, and assured her that oil and gas developments are not to blame.

Polar bear, Alaska: Photo by AlaskaPodshow.com (CC)    » read more »

Bush, Conservatives Call for More of the Same in Response to Growing Energy Crisis

May 13, 2008 -- Washington, D.C.-Today, the U.S. Senate voted down an amendment by a margin of 42 to 56 (60 votes were needed for approval) that would have opened pristine lands and coastal waters, including the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, to new oil drilling. It would have also promoted the use of expensive, dirty, and dangerous "unconventional" fuels produced from liquid coal and oil shale.

ANWR: Photo by Madhav Pai (CC)    » read more »

May 8, 2008 -- (Anchorage, AK) -- Alaska Attorney General Talis Colberg and the attorneys general of 48 other states and the District of Columbia today announced that Facebook has agreed to changes to better protect children from predators and inappropriate content on the social networking site.

Facebook logo: Photo by Scott Beale / Laughing Squid (CC)

Facebook also agreed to participate in a task force on exploring and developing age and identity verification software. The agreement is similar to one that MySpace reached in January with 49 states and the District of Columbia.    » read more »

Alaskans Feel Pinch of High Costs

May 7, 2008, Anchorage, Alaska - Alaska Governor Sarah Palin released the following statement as the price of Alaska North Slope crude oil reached a record level of $123.53 a barrel.

Trans-Alaska pipeline: Photo by rickz (CC)

“Alaskans are feeling the pinch of high energy costs. The state treasury is swelling while the family checkbook is evaporating. As prices continue to rise, we cannot wait for medium- and long-term solutions to come into place.”    » read more »