Gov. Sarah Palin has said she won’t take $28.6 million for energy conservation work because the law would require a “statewide energy code” for buildings in Alaska.

She has also said the money is an attempt to “bribe” the state or local governments to adopt energy efficiency standards for buildings.

“Essentially to me it’s a bribe. It’s here, ‘Take these dollars, but you gotta grow your government. You’re going to have to police this new program, even enforcement of building codes if you take these dollars," Palin said in March.

At about that same time, Lt. Gov. Sean Parnell said the building code is one example of how Washington is "trying to overtake Alaska with its agenda and we are standing against that interference."

"In Alaska, our freedom is not for sale," Parnell said.

But it appears the state does not have to adopt a statewide energy code to qualify for the $28.6 million.

For example, Missouri is one of several states without a statewide building or energy code for residential or commercial structures.

The Department of Energy accepted the proposal from Missouri, which does not call for a statewide energy code or even a mandatory local code.

Instead, Missouri proposes to "create model energy efficiency standards that, if local units of government choose to implement, should reduce costs for Missourians."

It is likely that the existing building standards in Alaska's major communities would be enough to meet the federal mandate if the governor agreed to accept the federal money.

The other 49 governors have accepted the money, with some saying they would ask local authorities to "consider" energy code changes.

There is more in my column today http://www.newsminer.com/news/dermotcole/

To see the letters from the governors who have accepted the money, go to http://www.energy.gov/InYourState.htm