>>roup: Palin's energy claims ‘not even close’ to the truth<<
Snowshoe -
I checked the Resource Development Council for Alaska's website, since a McCain spokesman said they were the source of the claim that Palin was "in charge of 20 percent of America’s energy supply."
Here's what the site actually says:
"Alaska's oil and gas industry has produced more than 16 billion barrels of oil and 6 billion cubic feet of natural gas, accounting for an average of 20 percent of the entire nation's domestic production (1980 - 2000). Currrently, Alaska accounts for nearly 15% of U.S. production."
So from 1980 to 2000, Alaska accounted for 20% of our domestic production, not our supply. In 2007, Alaska accounted for 14% of domestic production.
Yep, the McCain figures are way off, especially because they didn't say "production" but instead referred to "supply".
I also question the characterization of Palin's involvement in Alaskan energy. Can it be truthfully said she is "in charge" of it? I know she negotiates with the oil companies who produce the oil, and that she is involved in deciding how much the state will tax them. Plus, she has input into oil and gas field leases. Going from there to saying she's in charge of the production seems like a leap to me.
None of this matters, though, because most of the people who hear McCain and Palin say this will probably believe it. And they'll continue to believe it no matter what Factcheck.org, or anybody else, says. And they'll be impressed by how knowledgeable Palin must be about energy, after 20 months "in charge" of 20% of our nation's energy supply.
- Allen |
