mick silver
5th November 2015, 11:16 AM
'World's Most Expensive Gas Station' Cost Taxpayers $43Mhttp://l.yimg.com/os/publish-images/gma/2015-03-26/603d1640-d3f2-11e4-8cf3-4f85f9138b1f_abc-news.png (http://abcnews.go.com/) By LEE FERRAN November 2, 2015 8:31 PM
http://l3.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/Jim9LFLLAYmFVB75tHzrMQ--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3NfbGVnbztmaT1maWxsO2g9Mzc3O2lsPXBsYW 5lO3B4b2ZmPTUwO3B5b2ZmPTA7cT03NTt3PTY3MA--/http://media.zenfs.com/en_us/gma/us.abcnews.go.com/ht_sigar_gas_station_lf_151102_16x9_992.jpg (http://news.yahoo.com/worlds-most-expensive-gas-station-cost-taxpayers-43m-192617422--abc-news-topstories.html#)
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'World's Most Expensive Gas Station' Cost Taxpayers $43M (ABC News)
American taxpayers are on the hook for a $43 million gas station constructed in Afghanistan -- a price tag that’s about $42.5 million higher than it should’ve been, and the Department of Defense (http://abcnews.go.com/topics/news/us/department-of-defense.htm) can’t explain why, according to a new government report.
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Pentagon spends $43 million to build Afghanistan gas station: watchdog (http://news.yahoo.com/pentagon-spends-43-million-build-afghanistan-gas-station-203407609.html) Reuters
US military wasted $43M on compressed natural gas station (http://news.yahoo.com/us-military-wasted-43m-compressed-natural-gas-station-233729349.html) AFP
The Pentagon Spent Nearly $43 Million On A Gas Station In Afghanistan (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/afghanistan-gas-station-pentagon_56377e29e4b00aa54a4ebddc?ncid=txtlnkusaol p00000592) Huffington Post
U.S. Wastes More Than $40 Million on a Gas Station in Afghanistan (http://news.yahoo.com/u-wastes-more-40-million-155400508.html) The Fiscal Times
You'll See Why Australia Is Scary After This (https://beap.gemini.yahoo.com/mbclk?bv=1.0.0&es=Nc2xkwMGIS8ZjK0t_QXHqWrsg0Ph.8s9a5D.VAa.RN8FPZ3 mjPgbfKDuUsLnYfsfyRHE66dkpfxTe_AjzJQkXToBADBm5AZSC rLHqwc0zM5XA2ml1teGXSkKrLegANQzaRM8RLw0eYfwNr2JPo1 Z1TH_.orTDriA.qwIbnDlXuiviCbiByuu7s3ni47rKpdUKgBhS asA5MsmIBuMrGKKWzvqNTwH92OuGLKHjcSyQ1GmO_tf0v0D6w5 ZK51sYAkcQRGPnydA7xkLHxnDxzIAKIu0hmsBwJw64uifM2V9a Cna89tVLwEZ_PDh8KWMaArn3VGjtL1rVj5e0lyT6PuJ7_hBhSs W0J0tUFtS.VKmnuHVMsbib0FmnIzJwlcQihmHE5zADg9NHkQ7I pe6ECzw0OTgz3RkjcvVQTjQZy1XQ67dZYhFeHCXPhI3rVX0N9Y EAIvIJhxsvM5bgPXPAKY_wnpsbMJIIBoeuachK_kOCeOycIXcz xV9dAbCRnBEh6PD_E9n5RNCWDQyjqyQS_34dMPm4Eh1PQHlohN IehO27OstbZXt30MG3duMjhcwbrDlsfAie.0tYgHKjp715whEN km62wChAEAiVJcZEbyrtcvl63LHRChQ.LySUHcOxIneLlTVzn3 v6qhvwrNmDEBvkkfDs38bpu.V3jIS.rU7PXFwrNcuqIeS_saIm pQclERfuhqKGRzw_n4x0unxnYf88mqNMJ4IOVuWlGzJI3FWuHD Oj2UcFshD7MozHPJKC6jGqTPZ5p6gqCl_pdOXTrM0HVSZvbB08 S7WBxnTHM6pegZ7FUSKz3WctY1mmsTxV4bb0QROYuZmSAEzEhH u%26lp=) Viral Vinny (http://viralvinny.com/24-reasons-why-you-shouldnt-visit-australia/?utm_source=yahoo&utm_medium=ViralVinny%2Ecom%2DDesktop%2DUS%2DVisit Australia%2DOctopusBack&utm_content=octopusback&utm_campaign=24%20Reasons%20why%20you%20might%20wa nt%20to%20reconsider%20your%20trip%20to%20Australi a%C9yikes%21) Sponsored (https://help.yahoo.com/kb/SLN22774.html?impressions=true) (https://info.yahoo.com/privacy/us/yahoo/relevantads.html) I don't like this ad (http://news.yahoo.com/worlds-most-expensive-gas-station-cost-taxpayers-43m-192617422--abc-news-topstories.html#)
“The DOD charged the American taxpayer $43 million for what is likely the world’s most expensive gas station,” Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) John Sopko said, ahead of the release of the SIGAR report today. “DOD spent $43 million on the gas station, without determining it would be a good idea, and now claims it knows nothing about the project.”
The SIGAR report (https://www.sigar.mil/pdf/special%20projects/SIGAR-16-2-SP.pdf) details the planning and construction of a compressed natural gas (CNG) station in the Afghan city of Sheberghan, part of a larger Downstream Gas Utilization Project designed to take advantage of Afghanistan’s natural gas reserves. The gas station itself was meant to prove that CNG stations were a viable alternative to imported petroleum for Afghan vehicles.Top 6 Ways to Burn Taxpayers' Millions in Afghanistan (http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/top-ways-burn-taxpayers-millions-afghanistan/story?id=21378579)US Turns $486 Million Afghan Air Fleet into $32,000 of Scrap Metal (http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/us-turns-486-million-afghan-air-fleet-32000/story?id=26083173)Top Pentagon Aide Aimed to 'Slow Roll' Investigation Into Huge, Unused $36M Facility in Afghanistan, Report Alleges (http://abcnews.go.com/International/top-pentagon-aide-aimed-slow-roll-investigation-waste/story?id=31150339)SIGAR found that in other countries, for example in Pakistan next door, the total cost for constructing a CNG station can be up to $500,000 -- not the astronomical $43 million the DOD paid.
“To date, DOD has been unable to provide documentation showing why the Sheberghan CNG station cost nearly $43 million,” the SIGAR report says. “Even considering security costs associated with construction and operation in Afghanistan, this level of expenditure appears gratuitous and extreme.”
According to SIGAR, DOD said the group in charge of the project, the Task Force for Business and Stability Operations (TFBSO), had been closed in March 2015 and therefore the DOD “no longer possess[es] the personnel expertise to address these questions...” The TFBSO had been in charge of over $800 million, SIGAR said.
Beyond the high cost, SIGAR reports that the DOD task force did not look into the feasibility of the gas station and that the infrastructure necessary to support the CNG station was lacking.
Additionally, the cost of converting local vehicles to be able to use compressed natural gas is reportedly around $700 – a little more than the average annual income for locals.
“In sum, it is not clear why TFBSO believed the CNG filling station project should be undertaken,” the SIGAR report says.
Rep. Jason Chaffetz, Chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, said it is "negligent and irresponsible for the Obama administration to spend the American taxpayer's hard-earned money with such careless abandon."
Lt. Col. Joe Sowers, a spokesperson for the Department of Defense, acknowledged in a written statement that TFBSO personnel would not be around to answer questions, as the office was shutting down, but said the Pentagon established a "reading room" for SIGAR to review relevant documents.
"We continue to provide complete and unfettered access to TFBSO documents to SIGAR through the reading room managed by the Washington Headquarters Services. Further, we have offered to assist SIGAR in locating and contacting any former TFBSO personnel they wish to interview," Sowers said. "We welcome the continued review of this project by SIGAR."
CLICK HERE to follow the Brian Ross Investigative Unit on Facebook. (https://www.facebook.com/BrianRossInvestigates)
Politics & Government
Government
Afghanistan
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http://l3.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/Jim9LFLLAYmFVB75tHzrMQ--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3NfbGVnbztmaT1maWxsO2g9Mzc3O2lsPXBsYW 5lO3B4b2ZmPTUwO3B5b2ZmPTA7cT03NTt3PTY3MA--/http://media.zenfs.com/en_us/gma/us.abcnews.go.com/ht_sigar_gas_station_lf_151102_16x9_992.jpg (http://news.yahoo.com/worlds-most-expensive-gas-station-cost-taxpayers-43m-192617422--abc-news-topstories.html#)
. View photo
'World's Most Expensive Gas Station' Cost Taxpayers $43M (ABC News)
American taxpayers are on the hook for a $43 million gas station constructed in Afghanistan -- a price tag that’s about $42.5 million higher than it should’ve been, and the Department of Defense (http://abcnews.go.com/topics/news/us/department-of-defense.htm) can’t explain why, according to a new government report.
Related Stories
Pentagon spends $43 million to build Afghanistan gas station: watchdog (http://news.yahoo.com/pentagon-spends-43-million-build-afghanistan-gas-station-203407609.html) Reuters
US military wasted $43M on compressed natural gas station (http://news.yahoo.com/us-military-wasted-43m-compressed-natural-gas-station-233729349.html) AFP
The Pentagon Spent Nearly $43 Million On A Gas Station In Afghanistan (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/afghanistan-gas-station-pentagon_56377e29e4b00aa54a4ebddc?ncid=txtlnkusaol p00000592) Huffington Post
U.S. Wastes More Than $40 Million on a Gas Station in Afghanistan (http://news.yahoo.com/u-wastes-more-40-million-155400508.html) The Fiscal Times
You'll See Why Australia Is Scary After This (https://beap.gemini.yahoo.com/mbclk?bv=1.0.0&es=Nc2xkwMGIS8ZjK0t_QXHqWrsg0Ph.8s9a5D.VAa.RN8FPZ3 mjPgbfKDuUsLnYfsfyRHE66dkpfxTe_AjzJQkXToBADBm5AZSC rLHqwc0zM5XA2ml1teGXSkKrLegANQzaRM8RLw0eYfwNr2JPo1 Z1TH_.orTDriA.qwIbnDlXuiviCbiByuu7s3ni47rKpdUKgBhS asA5MsmIBuMrGKKWzvqNTwH92OuGLKHjcSyQ1GmO_tf0v0D6w5 ZK51sYAkcQRGPnydA7xkLHxnDxzIAKIu0hmsBwJw64uifM2V9a Cna89tVLwEZ_PDh8KWMaArn3VGjtL1rVj5e0lyT6PuJ7_hBhSs W0J0tUFtS.VKmnuHVMsbib0FmnIzJwlcQihmHE5zADg9NHkQ7I pe6ECzw0OTgz3RkjcvVQTjQZy1XQ67dZYhFeHCXPhI3rVX0N9Y EAIvIJhxsvM5bgPXPAKY_wnpsbMJIIBoeuachK_kOCeOycIXcz xV9dAbCRnBEh6PD_E9n5RNCWDQyjqyQS_34dMPm4Eh1PQHlohN IehO27OstbZXt30MG3duMjhcwbrDlsfAie.0tYgHKjp715whEN km62wChAEAiVJcZEbyrtcvl63LHRChQ.LySUHcOxIneLlTVzn3 v6qhvwrNmDEBvkkfDs38bpu.V3jIS.rU7PXFwrNcuqIeS_saIm pQclERfuhqKGRzw_n4x0unxnYf88mqNMJ4IOVuWlGzJI3FWuHD Oj2UcFshD7MozHPJKC6jGqTPZ5p6gqCl_pdOXTrM0HVSZvbB08 S7WBxnTHM6pegZ7FUSKz3WctY1mmsTxV4bb0QROYuZmSAEzEhH u%26lp=) Viral Vinny (http://viralvinny.com/24-reasons-why-you-shouldnt-visit-australia/?utm_source=yahoo&utm_medium=ViralVinny%2Ecom%2DDesktop%2DUS%2DVisit Australia%2DOctopusBack&utm_content=octopusback&utm_campaign=24%20Reasons%20why%20you%20might%20wa nt%20to%20reconsider%20your%20trip%20to%20Australi a%C9yikes%21) Sponsored (https://help.yahoo.com/kb/SLN22774.html?impressions=true) (https://info.yahoo.com/privacy/us/yahoo/relevantads.html) I don't like this ad (http://news.yahoo.com/worlds-most-expensive-gas-station-cost-taxpayers-43m-192617422--abc-news-topstories.html#)
“The DOD charged the American taxpayer $43 million for what is likely the world’s most expensive gas station,” Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) John Sopko said, ahead of the release of the SIGAR report today. “DOD spent $43 million on the gas station, without determining it would be a good idea, and now claims it knows nothing about the project.”
The SIGAR report (https://www.sigar.mil/pdf/special%20projects/SIGAR-16-2-SP.pdf) details the planning and construction of a compressed natural gas (CNG) station in the Afghan city of Sheberghan, part of a larger Downstream Gas Utilization Project designed to take advantage of Afghanistan’s natural gas reserves. The gas station itself was meant to prove that CNG stations were a viable alternative to imported petroleum for Afghan vehicles.Top 6 Ways to Burn Taxpayers' Millions in Afghanistan (http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/top-ways-burn-taxpayers-millions-afghanistan/story?id=21378579)US Turns $486 Million Afghan Air Fleet into $32,000 of Scrap Metal (http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/us-turns-486-million-afghan-air-fleet-32000/story?id=26083173)Top Pentagon Aide Aimed to 'Slow Roll' Investigation Into Huge, Unused $36M Facility in Afghanistan, Report Alleges (http://abcnews.go.com/International/top-pentagon-aide-aimed-slow-roll-investigation-waste/story?id=31150339)SIGAR found that in other countries, for example in Pakistan next door, the total cost for constructing a CNG station can be up to $500,000 -- not the astronomical $43 million the DOD paid.
“To date, DOD has been unable to provide documentation showing why the Sheberghan CNG station cost nearly $43 million,” the SIGAR report says. “Even considering security costs associated with construction and operation in Afghanistan, this level of expenditure appears gratuitous and extreme.”
According to SIGAR, DOD said the group in charge of the project, the Task Force for Business and Stability Operations (TFBSO), had been closed in March 2015 and therefore the DOD “no longer possess[es] the personnel expertise to address these questions...” The TFBSO had been in charge of over $800 million, SIGAR said.
Beyond the high cost, SIGAR reports that the DOD task force did not look into the feasibility of the gas station and that the infrastructure necessary to support the CNG station was lacking.
Additionally, the cost of converting local vehicles to be able to use compressed natural gas is reportedly around $700 – a little more than the average annual income for locals.
“In sum, it is not clear why TFBSO believed the CNG filling station project should be undertaken,” the SIGAR report says.
Rep. Jason Chaffetz, Chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, said it is "negligent and irresponsible for the Obama administration to spend the American taxpayer's hard-earned money with such careless abandon."
Lt. Col. Joe Sowers, a spokesperson for the Department of Defense, acknowledged in a written statement that TFBSO personnel would not be around to answer questions, as the office was shutting down, but said the Pentagon established a "reading room" for SIGAR to review relevant documents.
"We continue to provide complete and unfettered access to TFBSO documents to SIGAR through the reading room managed by the Washington Headquarters Services. Further, we have offered to assist SIGAR in locating and contacting any former TFBSO personnel they wish to interview," Sowers said. "We welcome the continued review of this project by SIGAR."
CLICK HERE to follow the Brian Ross Investigative Unit on Facebook. (https://www.facebook.com/BrianRossInvestigates)
Politics & Government
Government
Afghanistan
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