Palin charges to defense of Alaskans

What a difference a year can make.

The oil industry's influence in Juneau has been part of the Capitol fabric for many years. This has manifested itself in industry-friendly legislation and a general business environment in which industry has been allowed to operate virtually unchecked and rake in higher profits here than in most other oil-producing areas around the world.

In turn, the state and its residents have seen benefits of their own, in the form of royalty payments that offset a large portion of the cost of government and keep permanent fund dividend checks flowing to Alaskans each fall.

But industry critics have long voiced the opinion that these benefits are insufficient, compared with what is doled out by industry to governments in other oil-producing regions. Last year's debate about a new means of &#8220taxing” industry, framed in the context of election year campaigns, gave those critics a bigger platform for airing their grievances.

A couple of high-profile North Slope &#8220accidents” last year and an ongoing FBI investigation into an alleged influence-peddling scandal raised public awareness further that all might not be well in the lengthy relationship between this state and the oil industry.

That feeling was underscored with the rejection of the industry-favored natural gas pipeline contract by the public and the Legislature last year, and the subsequent election of Gov. Sarah Palin, who dared to challenge industry assertions about the way business has been conducted here.

None of this has gone unnoticed by oil industry officials. Earlier this week, Exxon Mobil CEO Rex Tillerson was critical of what he perceived as Alaskans' indifference to pipeline development. His complaint hinted at a greater realization, though, that industry's days of doing business unchallenged are over.

Palin removed any doubt when she rose to the state's defense.

&#8220What bothers me is that Alaska tried it Exxon's way. The result was a contract that is not viable. It did not have the support of the public or the Legislature. That's why we need a competitive, open and transparent process,” she said in a prepared statement. &#8220It's painfully obvious that Exxon Mobil does not want that process. We know exactly where we're going and have a plan to move forward. Exxon doesn't like that plan because it puts the interests of Alaska and the nation first - and not Exxon.”

Reasonably aware voters know how cheap this kind of tough talk is on the campaign trail, and how frequently it is forgotten once candidates are elected. We applaud Gov. Palin for her follow-through and for this unambiguous and courageous stance in defense of the interests of the state and its residents.

Alaskans - of all political stripes - should take notice.