By Jon Ralston · October 20, 2008 · 5:44 PM

The tip I got was that the governor had appeared before a grand jury during his recent trip to DC. But when I asked, the governor's spokesman declared, "Absolutely not."

I guess I wasn't the only one who asked because later in the day, the governor put out this news release,putatively on energy. But read down to the bottom, where the real news is buried. Very clever. Or, perhaps, slippery, is the word.

For Immediate Release: October 20, 2008

GOVERNOR PROMOTES ENERGY INDEPENDENCE FOR NEVADA DURING TRIP TO WASHINGTON D.C.

(Carson City, NV) – Governor Jim Gibbons said today his trip to Washington D.C. was successful in furthering Nevada’s efforts towards achieving energy independence by strengthening the state’s working relationship with federal officials.

“Nevada has incredible potential to produce more energy than it needs through the development of our renewable resources and maximizing our existing generating capacity,” the Governor said. “With the federal government’s majority ownership of Nevada, it’s critical that we work together to develop these resources.”

During his trip, the Governor met with Interior Secretary Dick Kempthorne, C. Stephen Allred, the Assistant Secretary of Land and Minerals Management, officials from the Bureau of Land Management, and officials from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to discuss energy issues, as well as officials from the Department of Homeland Security to discuss emergency interoperability.

“It’s one of my goals as Governor to put the state on a real road to achieve energy independence,” the Governor said. “First and foremost in this effort, we need to ensure there are adequate transmission lines to link up the people to the renewable resources. We will need strong federal partnerships to achieve this.”

Upon taking office, the Governor created the Renewable Energy Transmission Access Advisory Committee, which he tasked with identifying these key transmission corridors. That panel is now entering its second phase, where it will identify potential environmental impacts along these identified transmission lines, as well as potential funding mechanisms for their construction.

More information about the committee can be found online at http://gov.state.nv.us/Energy2/index.htm. During his meetings, the Governor emphasized the significance in working to protect the Sage Grouse and critical Sage Grouse habitat, but warned of the harm that would come from listing the bird as an endangered species.

“If the Sage Grouse gets listed as endangered, it will be virtually impossible to develop renewable energy in Nevada,” the Governor said. “Additionally, broader economic development would be severely undermined. It’s critical that we work to preserve the Sage Grouse, but we can do so without listing it as an endangered species and jeopardizing the future of Nevada.”

While in Washington D.C. the Governor also took the opportunity to request a meeting with the FBI to discuss the investigation into his relationship with e-Treppid and allegations stemming from his days as a Congressman.

“The lawsuit between e-Treppid and Montgomery that sparked this false allegation is now settled, and I met briefly with investigators to request that they wrap up their review of Montgomery‘s accusations against me, as well,” the Governor said. “I look forward to a positive outcome and putting this investigation behind me once and for all.”