Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Trans Canada Pipeline Takes Important Step Forward
by W. T. Howes
Governor Palin is back doing the bidding of the people of Alaska. Last Friday, she formally signed the issued license to TransCanada Pipelines the license authorized by the Alaska Gasline Inducement Act of 2008 and earned by TransCanada. The delivery of the license is an important step forward in the construction of a pipeline that will help move the nation toward energy independence. The map to the left shows how the pipeline will connect to the North American distribution network upon completion. (Source: TransCanada.com)
At the top of the world, there exists a huge reserve of natural gas that will help make America more energy independent. Making more natural gas from Alaska’s North Slope available to the Lower 48 was long a dream in Alaska, but one that never seemed to get action. Never, that is, until the former Mayor of Wasilla assumed the governor’s seat.
The signature initiative of Sarah’s first term is the Trans Canda Pipeline. This year, under Sarah’s leadership, the Alaska Legislature passed the Alaska Pipeline Inducement Act. On December 5, Sarah signed the license granting to TransCanada Pipelines the right to build the pipeline. The license carries with it a $500,000,000 grant from the Alaska Permanent Fund.
According to TransCanada’s website:
“Wholly owned subsidiaries of TransCanada Corporation are developing the Alaska Pipeline Project, which will move natural gas from Alaska to North American markets. The project will stretch approximately 1,715 miles (2,760 kms) from Prudhoe Bay, Alaska through the Yukon territory and northeastern British Columbia to the BC/Alberta border near Boundary Lake, and will include new build and certain existing infrastructure within Alberta. TransCanada Alaska Company, LLC is responsible for designing and constructing the portion located in Alaska, while Foothills Pipe Lines Ltd. is responsible for the project from the Alaska/Yukon border to market connections in Alberta.”
The pipeline is a worthy investment for Alaska. It uses capital from the Permanent Fund to increase Alaska’s productive power, which in turn will enhance the state’s ability to produce revenue for the Permanent Fund. It benefits the people of Alaska by producing more energy revenue. It benefits the people of the United States by helping to stop the flow of oil and gas money to the Middle East.
