Surprise: Shell’s rig ran aground in Alaska because the company was trying to avoid taxes

[appleannie1]

A Shell spokesman last week confirmed an Unalaska elected official’s claim that the Dec. 21 departure of the Kulluk from Unalaska/Dutch Harbor involved taxation.

City councilor David Gregory said Shell would pay between $6 million and $7 million in state taxes if the Kulluk was still in Alaska on Jan. 1.

Ah, but the weather had other plans, sorry to say. Shell will end up having to pay that money after all, and then some.

Gregory said the departure of the Kulluk took money away from local small businesses servicing the rig. He predicted the maritime mishap will prove very costly to the oil company.

http://www.adn.com/2013/01/04/2742026/woman-charged-with-shooting-up.html#storylink=cpy

[NMDemDist2]

1. so since it's still in Alaska, do they need to pay the taxes AND now the

salvage/cleanup ???

[2naSalit]

4. Most likely.

I'm hoping they get the Valdez treatment and end up paying the taxes, several fines and the cleanup along with being denied any further permits. If there are any active permits, they should be rescinded.

[notadmblnd]

2. Isn't this criminal?

[2naSalit]

3. Even if it is

I'm sure someone would either be looking the other way or make sure that the laws weren't enforced. That's the way these guys "do business."

[NEG]

6. Why would it be criminal?

[Scuba]

12. It's called "criminal negligence". Are you sure you're in the right forum?

[NEG]

14. It is criminal negligence only if...

...they were if they were inattentive, careless, willfully blind, neglectful, ect. Your right it could be criminal. How do you or anybody else on here know it was? Ever operated any equipment or machinery? Ever been on the ocean? Things happen. I don't think it is reasonable to assume it was criminal based on the news reports I have read. That being said if it was negligent I do think they should be held fully responsible for any criminal penalties.

Are you sure you're in the right forum?

I am assuming you think I should kick off to another? Do you own this place?

[Arctic Dave]

5. I think it falls under the Karma Klause.

When you try and avoid your obligations you wind up screwing yourself when things go wrong.

[DeSwiss]

10. +1000

[NEG]

7. So if it was your money.....

....you would gladly stay in alaska and pay the 6 or 7 million in taxes? Not to mention paying at least twice what it would cost in Seattle for repairs, maintenance and modifications?

[DeSwiss]

11. Conservatives are always quick to remind us.....

...that there's no free lunch. Right?

- There's no free lunch.

[NEG]

15. I don't get it.

[uppityperson]

8. Your link is wrong. Here is a possible and a correct link. Thanks for the notice.

http://www.adn.com/2013/01/04/2742512/rig-grounding-could-put-shells.html

Shame on them and good grief.

Found the right article. Here...
http://www.thedutchharborfisherman.com/article/1301shell_rig_grounds_off_kodiak

[pscot]

9. Shouldn't this void their insurance?

[2naSalit]

13. Maddow has been

covering this to some degree in the past two days though she has yet to mention the tax=dodge aspect... She opened with it last night

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26315908/#50369182

She starts in on the Shell portion after four minutes of "run up".