Changes

===Energy and Oil===

===Energy and Oil===

Palin spoke a great deal about harnessing [[oil]] and natural [[gas]] resources, Palin presented the Alaska Gasline Inducement Act (AGIA) in March 2007, which was intended to lead to the construction of a gasline. <ref>http://www.newsminer.com/news/2008/aug/29/palin-alaska-gasline-inducement-act-nears-completi/</ref> It received bipartisan support and was signed into law by Governor Palin in June. In August of 2008 she signed legislation giving state authority to award TransCanada Corp a license to build and operate a multibillion-dollar pipeline to ship natural gas from the North Slope. <ref>http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/news/story.html?id=2e84b1e8-9a4a-4558-ad05-21b517c50fae</ref> Intended to improve Alaska's economy, it instead became a vehicle to pay $37 million to Transcanada, with potential liabilities for the state of up to half a billion dollars, <ref>http://www.adn.com/2011/01/20/1659129/lawmakers-express-frustration.html</ref> all for a pipeline that will not be profitable for 20 years based on natural gas forecasts <ref>http://www.adn.com/2010/12/22/1616472/report-leaves-pipeline-out-of.html</ref>. Alaska's law makers are currently looking for exit strategies from the plan. <ref>http://www.adn.com/2011/02/04/1684449/alaska-lawmakers-propose-ditching.html</ref> As governor, Palin created a new subcabinet that develops policies to reduce greenhouse gases and help the state adapt to [[climate change]]. She supports oil production in ANWR, connecting it with national security.<ref>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2GE11URmmnc</ref>

Palin spoke a great deal about harnessing [[oil]] and natural [[gas]] resources, and in March 2007, presented the Alaska Gasline Inducement Act (AGIA), a bill promoting the construction of a gas pipeline.<ref>[http://www.petroleumnews.com/pntruncate/0001000.shtml Governor gets AGIA] Nelson, Kristen, week of May 20, 2007, petroleumnews.com, retrieved August 20, 2011</ref> The bill received bipartisan support, and was signed into law by Governor Palin in June. In August of 2008 she signed legislation giving state authority to award TransCanada Corp a license to build and operate a multibillion-dollar pipeline to ship natural gas from the North Slope.<ref>[http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/news/story.html?id=2e84b1e8-9a4a-4558-ad05-21b517c50fae Alaska governor signs natgas pipeline license bill] Reuters, August 28, 2008, canada.com</ref> Intended to improve Alaska's economy, it instead became a vehicle to pay $37 million to Transcanada, with potential liabilities for the state of up to half a billion dollars.<ref>[http://www.adn.com/2011/01/20/1659129/lawmakers-express-frustration.html Lawmakers express frustration over gas pipeline subsidies] Cockerham, Sam, January 21, 2011, adn.com</ref> The pipeline will not be profitable for 20 years based on natural gas forecasts.<ref>[http://www.adn.com/2010/12/22/1616472/report-leaves-pipeline-out-of.html Gas pipeline to be pushed back, federal agency predicts] Bohner, Becky, December 23rd, 2010, adn.com</ref> As of February 2011, Alaska's lawmakers were looking for exit strategies from the plan.<ref>[http://www.adn.com/2011/02/04/1684449/alaska-lawmakers-propose-ditching.html Alaska lawmakers propose ditching Palin gas line program] Bohner, Becky, February 4, 2011, adn.com</ref>

 

As governor, Palin created a new subcabinet that develops policies to reduce greenhouse gases and help the state adapt to [[climate change]]. She supports oil production in ANWR, connecting it with national security.<ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2GE11URmmnc Youtube.com interview with Palin posted August 28, 2008]</ref>

In 2007 the [[housing bubble]] burst, which did not significantly affect Alaska. It did soften the dollar, which raised the dollar price of oil in the global market without raising the costs of production, leading to windfall profits. Despite oil companies' objections, Palin worked with the [[Democrats]] in the Alaska state legislature to approve a major increase in taxes on the oil industry.<ref>[http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008103325_alaskatax07.html Windfall tax lets Alaska rake in billions from Big Oil]</ref>"Alaska's Clear and Equitable Share" (ACES, Lampooned by the conservative talk radio media as Alaskans Clearly Entering Socialism<ref>Rick Rydell Radio Program, 650KENI.com, 2/8/2011, 8:43 AM Alaska Standard Time</ref>.) The state then gave Alaskans a $1200 check to pay for increased gas prices, using the increased revenues from the tax.<ref>[http://hotair.com/archives/2008/08/11/palin-backed-alaskan-windfall-profits-tax/ Palin backed Alaskan windfalls-profit tax]</ref>

In 2007 the [[housing bubble]] burst, which did not significantly affect Alaska. It did soften the dollar, which raised the dollar price of oil in the global market without raising the costs of production, leading to windfall profits. Despite oil companies' objections, Palin worked with the [[Democrats]] in the Alaska state legislature to approve a major increase in taxes on the oil industry.<ref>[http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008103325_alaskatax07.html Windfall tax lets Alaska rake in billions from Big Oil]</ref>"Alaska's Clear and Equitable Share" (ACES, Lampooned by the conservative talk radio media as Alaskans Clearly Entering Socialism<ref>Rick Rydell Radio Program, 650KENI.com, 2/8/2011, 8:43 AM Alaska Standard Time</ref>.) The state then gave Alaskans a $1200 check to pay for increased gas prices, using the increased revenues from the tax.<ref>[http://hotair.com/archives/2008/08/11/palin-backed-alaskan-windfall-profits-tax/ Palin backed Alaskan windfalls-profit tax]</ref>