Sarah Palin On The Environment

Grist reports that Alaska Governor Sarah Palin strongly opposes the Alaskan gas tax, threw money at Alaskans to quiet their concerns over rising energy costs, and "recently sued the Interior Department over its decision to list the polar bear as a threatened species."

Not a fan of the bears, the New York Times agrees.

The Times writes that the selection of Palin could help pacify Republicans who wish Sen. McCain would support drilling in ANWR:

But she differs with Mr. McCain on a controversial environment issue that centers on her home state: she supports drilling for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Reserve. Mr. McCain's opposition to drilling -- even after he changed positions and began advocating for off-shore oil drilling -- has upset many Republicans.

CLIMATE CHANGE

At the same time, Palin raised the profile of climate change in Alaska about a year ago when she installed a climate change sub-cabinet:

On September 14, 2007, Alaska Governor Sarah Palin signed Administrative Order 238, establishing the Climate Change Sub-Cabinet. The sub-cabinet will consolidate the state's knowledge of climate change in order to recommend policies and measures to guide the state's mitigation and adaptation efforts. It includes the commissioners of the Departments of Commerce, Community and Economic Development; Natural Resources; Fish and Game; Transportation and Public Facilities; and Environmental Conservation (Chair). The Administrative Order also directs the group to consult with the president of the University of Alaska and explore ways to promote development of renewable energy sources such as geothermal, wind, hydroelectric, and tidal resources. Governor also signed a letter adding Alaska as an observer to the Western Climate Initiative.

NATURAL GAS IN ALASKA'S NORTH SLOPE

Palin passed into law a signature bill, called the Alaska Gasline Inducement Act, which dictates the way that the state accepted bids for its North Slope natural gas reserves. The bill would have passed unanimously but for one opposing vote:

Eventually it passed in May with a single "no" vote, that of House Majority Leader Ralph Samuels, R-Anchorage.

Samuels, considered to be one of the Legislature's most knowledgeable members on oil and gas issues, said he feared the bill would exclude the big oil companies and fail to produce enough qualified applicants to yield a capable licensee.

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The pipeline may cost $20 billion or more.

"The fear is we do not (find qualified applicants) and we pick that sole applicant, and we pick the wrong applicant," Samuels said.

There was also some bristling at the bill's half-billion dollar subsidy for the winning bid:

One of the first parts of AGIA to get critical scrutiny was a plan for the state to contribute half a billion dollars to help the eventual winner of the state's license pay for early development efforts.

That contribution would later benefit the state by lowering shipping costs, the Palin administration said.

Oil companies testifying before the legislature suggested the money might simply help a financially unqualified company win the pipeline license and do the state more harm than good.

Comments

[fascistmedia]

Sarah Palin has been a terrorist against animals, nature, and the environment. Here's a video about her: http://fascistmedia.com/Sarah-Palin/

[asportsdad]

Gov. Palin has said that the war in Iraq is "God's task" for America. The cost of the the war is catastrophic in terms of human life lost (oh yeah, she's prolife), damage to the environment (bombs, wreckage, pollution), and our economy (over $2 trillion added to the national debt). I wonder what war she believe should be next in God's plan for America... Iran?

[harriscrl3]

SHe doesnt believe global warming is man made and less than a couple of days after she was chosen hurricanes and tropical storms are hatching in the atlantic like crazy. On the day of the republican convention in week we had Gustav there is Hanna, Ike and Josephine is getting ready to form in one week but there is no such thing as gloabl warming right? Funny this didnt happen the week before with the democrats things could not have gone smoorther and the following week chaos starts brewing with this gun toting separatist being chosen as a VP.

Carol

[UnbiasView]

"we had Gustav there is Hanna, Ike and Josephine"

It is called hurricane season . . . happens every year doesn't it?

[anghiari]

This ia an abbreviated version of the original press release that seems to disappeared from Governor Palins official website...

"Public Statements

Speaker: Governor Sarah Heath Palin (AK)
Title: Palin Pleased with Obama's Energy Plan
Date: 08/04/2008
Location: Fairbanks, AK
Press Release
Palin Pleased with Obama's Energy Plan

Includes Alaska's Natural Gas Reserves

Governor Sarah Palin today responded to the energy plan put forward by the presumptive Democratic nominee for President, Illinois Senator Barack Obama.

“I am pleased to see Senator Obama acknowledge the huge potential Alaska's natural gas reserves represent in terms of clean energy and sound jobs,” Governor Palin said. “The steps taken by the Alaska State Legislature this past week demonstrate that we are ready, willing and able to supply the energy our nation needs.”

In a speech given in Lansing, Michigan, Senator Obama called for the completion of the Alaska natural gas pipeline, stating, “Over the next five years, we should also lease more of the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska for oil and gas production. And we should also tap more of our substantial natural gas reserves and work with the Canadian government to finally build the Alaska natural gas pipeline, delivering clean natural gas and creating good jobs in the process.”

Governor Palin also acknowledged the Senator's proposal to offer $1,000 rebates to those struggling with the high cost of energy.





http://gov.state.ak.us/archive-59841.html"

[losangelian1]

I think it's quite obvious to anyone with a brain that to elect a 72 year old man, with a nobody as their VP, is WAY too risky. Let the facts speak for themselves­...

I think the only way this could help republicans, is if it's perceived that she is getting beat up on. Remember what happened when Hillary cried. She got a huge bump from the women voters.

(and leave the family and personal stuff out of it!)

[CrittersRTasty]

So the answer is to elect a nobody with an old man as VP?

[paulbikes]

i want to hear here debate biden. im making popcorn.

[serecovery]

It doesn't come down to the debate. It comes down to the moderator. Tim Russert would never allow someone as unskillful as this to pass him by. He would ask her the hardest of the hardest questions. We have to hope whomever it is, they do the job.

[UnbiasView]

"Tim Russert would never allow someone as unskillful as this to pass him by"

Did he have a shot at Obama? List what great things he has done that Palin hasn't and vice versa.

[sheaftosser]

Let me mark my calendar now....the VP debate may well live in infamy. Fox News ain't running this debate!

[arthur2008]

She could not be less fit to serve. And John McCain's willingness to throw the country under the bus for hoped-for political gain should never be forgotten.

[JimboSlice]

No mention on supporting shooting wolves from airplanes?

[provgrays]

Palin was just appointed and she has had a major negative story EVERY DAY.

She won't be able to stand the scrutiny. She will quit and that "maverick" will choose someone else while the media falls all over him.

[JRandomPoster]

Well, she'll get the Colbert bump, then, given her dislike of bears. And the Exxon bump, I'm sure.

Exxon John meets Exxon Jane.

[kidvidkid]

Not to mention the baby bump.

[provgrays]

Matthew Staver, Dean of the Liberty University School of Law, was quoted by the Associated Press today.

"We're All Sinners".

He was reacting to the news that Sarah Palin's 17 year old daughter was pregnant.

How come a little of that pious compassion wasn't evident before Bill Clinton's impeachment?

[stnosh]

Probably because Palin's daughter is a young immature child that's making youthful mistake.

Clinton is an adult who should know better who've made the same mistake over and over. And on that particular case with someone about half his age.

[Pat15]

Dont underestimate the Repugs... They will stoop to any low and they have shown in the past they dont give two hoots what the others thinks ... But you have to hand it to them they have the grit & are good at mud slinging, below the belt politics , GOD on their side attitude but will close elections with thuggery.
In their eyes, it is very simple ...1) Evangical sheep will vote for them no matter what ... 2) The deep south who vote based on hatred is easy to keep (just keep the wedge issues abortion, guns, God, gays in news just for the election) 3) Give the tax breaks to rich & corporations to get the money for elections ..They just have to fool a very small segment of clueless citizens to get in the office ... The circle is complete..­. Amen

[Okieborn]

America has suffered with a bag of garbage named Bush for eight years now the Republican Party presents Mccain and Palin for their candidates !!
How low can you go LOL !!!

[tellthetruthalways]

Collatine1802,
Nice try. The president appoints the justices of the supreme court, who in turn can overturn Roe v Wade. The next president will appoint two, maybe three justices. If it is McCain and Palin, abortions will not stop, they will simply become illegal. And the young women and doctors involved will be made criminals. Remember how well that worked in the past. Palin is dangerous not because of her inexperience, she is dangerous because of her political positions.

[loper2008]

so true

She is a pure ideological pick and her ideologies are extreme for anyone who doesn't believe the Bible is literal. She seems like a nice person, but her values do not represent the diversity of the United States of America. We'd have another four years where people like James Dobson are influencing public policy.

[kesiac]

Her ideologies are extreme for people who do believe the bible is literal.

[stnosh]

Totally, untrue. It will merely revert back to the states, not become illegal.

Unlikely to become illegal in states like New York or California. Even in the conservative heartland, it will probably survive in some fashion.

Child sacrifice has a long history in the human race and this is only the modern clinal version. Reformation of this magnitude is unlikely to happen by politial action. It will require a true spiritual awakening in a massive scale like the great revials that abolished slavery in Britan and America. Christians in America are way too comfortable with looking and acting like their pagan neighbors to have that kind of power.