Last night (9-22-10) the Alaska Chapter of the International Association of Energy Economists sponsored a forum at the University of Alaska-Anchorage to weigh the risks against the benefits of Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) development in the Arctic.  (More coming  next week….)  Comments from: Roger Marks, Michael Carey, Pete Slaiby (NGP Photo-l), John Schoen, Harold Curran (NGP Photo-r), David Ramseur 

KFQD by Billy Hackett.  Republican Gov. Sean Parnell and Democrat Ethan Berkowitz debated Wednesday at an Alaska State Chamber of Commerce event. Parnell says he has demonstrated he is a man of action during his first year in office. He cites efforts to boost the tourism and oil and gas industries, and his willingness to cooperate with — or go to court against — the federal government, depending on the circumstances. Berkowitz says more must be done to stimulate Alaska’s economy. He’s called for letting Alaskans invest in a natural gas pipeline project and cutting corporate income taxes.    *     KTUU Video .  “This is the only gas that’s been shipped from the North Slope to Southcentral,” Berkowitz said, setting the tank on the table between him and Parnell. “I and (lieutenant-governor running mate) Diane Benson brought this gas here today.”  “I think we need more than a propane tank — we need a pipeline,” Parnell said, setting the tank on the floor as he answered a question from the floor. … In a press release issued Tuesday, Parnell claims Berkowitz’s plan to let individuals buy shares of a natural gas pipeline would cost the state nearly 2,000 jobs. Parnell said Alaskans wouldn’t want to put their own Permanent Fund Dividend money toward a pipeline without a buyer, seller, shipper or concrete plan.  On Wednesday, Berkowitz sent out a statement saying Parnell has effectively admitted that the Alaska Gasline Inducement Act’s pipeline plan, championed by former Gov. Sarah Palin and continued by Parnell, is now officially a failure.