Dunleavy needs to correct his deceptive statements on gas pipeline plans

In December, Alaska newspapers printed the Dunleavy press release in which he lied about the 2020 earnings of the Alaska Permanent Fund.

This month, Alaska newspapers propagated another whopper from Dunleavy—this one about the financial foundation for his vision of a natural gas pipeline.

The Anchorage Daily News, the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, the Peninsula Clarion , the Frontiersman, among other newspapers, have yet to correct the big lie that this would be a private project, with some federal government assistance.

The opposite is true. This would be a government project, with some private assistance.

But that’s not what Dunleavy said when he called on Alaskans to “think big.”

“We’re on the cusp of a generational dream: construction of a gas line from our stranded gas fields in the North Slope to the road system in Alaska. As the world turns toward clean fuels like natural gas and renewables, this is Alaska’s time to think big,” the Dunleavy press release said.

“Today, I’m happy to report that we are closer than ever to bringing this concept to fruition with a gas line between Point Thomson and Fairbanks.”

How can it come to fruition?

“With many of the permits in place, and research completed, this gas line could be a game changer for Alaska. Backed by significant private sector interest, and the real possibility of funding from the federal government, this opportunity to create thousands of construction jobs couldn’t come at a more opportune time for our state,” Dunleavy said.

A project 75 percent funded by the federal government is not one “backed by significant private sector interest.”

Dunleavy added to the private sector deception by saying his administration, “successfully re-engaged the private sector in the funding and planning of this project. Alaska is many great things, but the state cannot responsibly finance, build and operate a major gas line, or manage the risks associated on its own. AGDC is in discussions with prospective private partners and will continue to publicly report their progress.”

The cost of the so-called “first phase” to Fairbanks has been cut to $5,9 billion with new technology, he said. “This was possible thanks to the help of our industry partners.”

“The good news is that, in addition to private funding, there is a strong possibility of federal funding,” Dunleavy said.

When the details emerged later, it was clear that the Dunleavy vision presented to Alaskans was false. There is no possibility of private funding without billions in federal funding.

The state wants 75 percent of the $5.9 billion to come from the federal government in the form of a grant, included in what is expected to be a giant federal infrastructure package.

Unnamed private sources would put up $1.5 billion.

In his State of the State speech, Dunleavy hyped his gasline idea and claimed with “private investment nearing reality,” we’ve never been closer to a pipeline. He didn’t mention the federal part.

Dunleavy made it sound easy in his speech and press release, then claimed he didn’t want to make it sound easy.

”Of course, I don’t mean to make any of this sound easy – changing the future never is. But harnessing our North Slope natural gas will immeasurably improve the lives of Alaskans, and it will help us develop the self-reliance we need to secure a future for our children and grandchildren,” he said.

Let’s not fool ourselves. This specific vision of Alaska “self-reliance” and call to “think big” would be courtesy of the red, white and blue.

Your contributions help support independent analysis and political commentary by Alaska reporter and author Dermot Cole. Thank you for reading and for your support. Either click here to use PayPal or send checks to: Dermot Cole, Box 10673, Fairbanks, AK 99710-0673.