2011 Archives

Last Week Exciting

26 September 2011 10:14am

7th Annual Oil and Gas CongresLast week your author had the honor of co-chairing the 7th Annual Oil & Gas Congress in Anchorage.   Governor Sean Parnell's (Photo) speech: Thank you, Dave. Thank you, Senator McGuire and tribal leaders. Welcome Coast Guard and FERC representatives. We appreciate the work you are doing. Welcome to our neighbors from Canada.    ADN Story by Sean Cockerham.  (more coming....)

Supporting Cancer Survivors

23 September 2011 9:08am

Dave Harbour Photography, Trends and Transformations, cancer survivors, fashion photography, AlaskaToday we take personal privilege to inform readers of a wonderful event tomorrow organized in support of Cancer survivors.  Organizers met last Friday, 9-16 to fine tune the plan. This 'dream team' included Shelley Romer (Alaska Cancer Care Alliance), Christina Anderson (Willow Environmental) and Michael Zoske (Art Services North). James Pepper Henry, of course, provides a career of accomplishment and a wonderful venue at a reasonable price ... and has already captured a place in America's history as one of the best Museum managers anywhere!  Facebook Reference With Photos.

This fashion show features cancer survivors on the catwalk, Anchorage Museum, tomorrow evening.  We have the honor of providing fashion photography services.  Come one come all...here's how!

 

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Obama Defies Congress - Begich Urges Alaska Gas Pipeline Loan Guarantee

23 September 2011 4:38am

ADN by Becky Bohrer.  U.S. Sen. Mark Begich (NGP Photo) has urged the state to consider a loan guarantee that would help with financing for a major Alaska natural gas pipeline.

 

September 21, 2011, Anchorage, Alaska – Governor Sean Parnell today offered testimony at an oversight hearing on “ANWR: Jobs, Energy and Deficit Reduction,” held by the U.S. House Committee on Natural Resources, chaired by Representative Doc Hastings (R-WA).  “Some of our nation’s richest oil reserves exist along the coastal plain known as ANWR,” Governor Parnell said. “It’s accessible. It’s extractable. And oil production and wildlife in ANWR are compatible. Oil from ANWR could help meet U.S. demand for the next 25 years – or longer. Responsible development of ANWR would create hundreds of thousands of jobs across our nation, in virtually every state, because a secure supply of petroleum will create demand for goods and services, and lower the cost of doing business.  

Aves Thompson, Alaska Trucking Association, ANWR, Dave Harbour, Oil and GasAlaska Trucking Association President Aves Thompson (NGP Photo) commented on the Obama Administration's US Fish and Wildlife Service movement toward recommending a wilderness lock-up of oil and gas reserves adjacent to the Trans Alaska Pipeline System at Prudhoe Bay, in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.  We are also pleased to provide for reader reference, a reference to testimony given yesterday by Consumer Energy Alliance - Alaska president, Jason Brune and Anchorage Chamber of Commerce President Sami Glascott (NGP Photo).  Carl Portman presented the Resource Development Council for Alaska position, here.   We are delighted that an Alaska elected official testified, Representative Charisse Millett, but wish more elected legislators, mayors and assembly members would comment.  Here's how to still provide a direct comment.  Please send us copies of comments to imbed here for future web searches (See upper left column, "Google" search for information and photos throughout our thousands of pages).  -dh

Obama Administration Defies Congress and Cancel's BOEMRE/US Coast Guard Witness Appearance Before the House Natural Resources Committee.  "House Natural Resource CommitteeCongressman Doc Hastings by Dave Harbour, Northern Gas Pipelines, BOEMRE Chairman Doc Hastings (NGP Photo) announced that today's Full Committee oversight hearing on the final report of the BOEMRE/U.S. Coast Guard Joint Investigation Team (JIT) will be postponed until October 6, 2011 due to the Obama Administration’s last-minute refusal to allow investigation team members to testify."  

Karsten Rodvik of AIDEA alerted us to another relevant Alaska energy conference: " The Alaska Energy Authority (AEA) and the Alaska Center for Energy and Power (ACEP) at the University of Alaska Fairbanks will hold the 2011 Rural Energy Conference September 27-29 at Centennial Hall in Juneau. This year marks the first time the conference takes place in Southeast Alaska. The 2011 theme is “Energy Pathways to Alaska’s Future.”   Here's the link.

ADN by Lisa Demer.  In an indictment handed up this week by aMaggie Ahmaogak by Dave Harbour, NSB, North Slope Borough, Whaling Commission federal grand jury, Maggie Ahmaogak, 61, of Barrow and Anchorage, is accused of using whaling commission funds on various personal expenses: plane tickets, groceries, meals, utility bills, and medical fees. She's also accused of using the funds to buy three snow machines and make a down payment on a Hummer. And, the indictment charges, she spent whaling commission money during gambling trips with a family member to New Orleans, Las Vegas and Washington state.

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A Big Day For ANWR Debate

22 September 2011 7:26am

Virtually the entire economy of Alaska, as we know it, depends on 'throughput' of a strong, dependable Sami Glascott, Anchorage Chamber President, Jason Brune, ANWR, RDC, PEBBlestream of crude oil traversing Alaska via the Trans Alaska Pipeline System (TAPS).  As State government spending expands at unsustainable double digit rates, pipeline throughput declines at a 5-6% rate.  ANWR, adjacent to Prudhoe Bay, has the potential to increase and sustain pipeline throughput for many years to come.  A part of ANWR, the 1002 area, was designated by Congress for 'future' oil and gas development.  The Obama administration via the US Fish and Wildlife Service, is considering whether to recommend that Congress transform the 1002 area of ANWR into a wilderness designation that would prevent exploration and production of the 1002 oil reserves.  Meanwhile, Obama's departments and agencies are working hard to 'inventory' areas within the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska for non-development and have slowed down and threatened the potential for an Arctic OCS exploration program that could funnel hundreds of thousands of jobs and hundreds of billions of dollars into America's struggling economy.  Yesterday, the U.S. House Natural Resources Committee heard testimony (See Rep. Charisse Millett's testimony) on ANWR as the US Fish and Wildlife Service took testimony in Anchorage (NGP Photo following testimony by Anchorage Chamber President Sami Glascott and Consumer Energy Alliance - Alaska President, Jason Brune).  -dh

Here are links for you: ADN story by Lisa Demer; News Miner Editorial by Dermot Cole re: Governor Parnell's ANWR initiative; 

Our House Natural Resources Committee staff friends, Spencer Pederson, Crystal Feldman or Jill Strait, sent us this report which we have edited slightly to fit here:

 

Yesterday, during a Full Committee oversight hearing on “ANWR: Jobs, Energy and Deficit Reduction,” Members of the Committee heard testimony from a number of local Alaskans who would be directly impacted by increased American energy production, job creation and economic growth with the opening the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR).  Below are excerpts from their testimony as they describe the benefits of opening ANWR to local communities, tribes, businesses, Alaska and the nation.
 
Fenton Okomailak Rexford, Tribal Administrator for the Native Village of Katovik:
·         “We would not favor development of the Coastal Plain unless we were confident that development can occur without jeopardizing our way of life.”
 
·         “Responsible development of ANWR is a matter of self-determination for my people.”
 
·         “Responsible ANWR development means my people will continue to access to running water and flush toilets throughout the region...”
 
·         “Development of the North Slope enables our community to sustain a local school.”
 
·         “Development will continue to provide search and rescue, police and fire protection for our North Slope communities.”
 
·          “Development of the Coastal Plain of ANWR is a win-win situation for the American people, particularly for those of us who call this area home.”
 
Carey Hall, Carlile Transportation Systems, Ice Road Truck Driver:
·         “ANWR is crucial to keeping oil in our pipeline.  Without ANWR we have the threat of our nation’s pipeline—The Trans Alaska Pipeline shutting down.”
 
·         “People care about their own backyard more than they care about their neighbors—that is why Alaskans support ANWR opening—it’s our backyard.”
 
·         “We know that ANWR will produce tens of thousands of long term jobs; we know that infrastructure will be built; we know that tanker ships will be needed, pipe will be manufactured, and services will be contracted.”
 
·         “ANWR is not a bandaid for our debt and economy; it is a long term sustainable solution.”
 
·         “The oil and gas industry represents the corner stone of our business.  It is not only important to contractors and vendors such as a trucking company but to all our citizens in the State of Alaska and as a nation.  It produces jobs, lots of jobs, we need jobs!”
 
·         “ANWR is about careful planning, environmental stewardship, and looking to the future.  Alaskans know this will be done right and overwhelmingly support this cause.”
 
Tim Sharp, Alaska District Council of Laborers, representing approximately five thousands Alaskan Union members:
·         “…development would generate thousands of needed jobs, and the leverage and impact the foreign producers could have on us would lessen.”
 
·         “ANWR would be a great opportunity for the environmental community and the oil industry to work closely together and show what American technology and ingenuity could do.”
 
·         “I am addressing today the need for political action to offset our dwindling energy reserves in the next five to ten years but equally important the need for jobs today.”

 

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Help Determine ANWR's-Alaska's Fate This Afternoon - Day Two Of Big Oil And Gas Congress

21 September 2011 6:25am

 

ALERT: NGP Readers: Please Comment on ANWR at the hearing today in Anchorage.  The Official USFWS Announcement.  Here's RDC's excellent analysis.  Wednesday, September 21, Wilda Marston Theater, Loussac Library, 3:00-9:30 pm.  We hope Anchorage citizens will show up in 'droves' to urge the FEDS to open ANWR for responsible oil and gas development as the Congress intended when it passed the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act.  A strong turnout of Alaska citizens and ELECTED STATE AND LOCAL OFFICIALS.  is very important.        -dh
 
Testify: Fairbanks 10-19-11, Anchorage 10-20-11
Written testimony due: 11-15-11
(We are pleased to note House Joint Resolution 11 sponsored by by Charisse Millett (NGP Photo) in the House urging the Congress to not convert the 1002 area of ANWR to a status that prevents oil and gas development.   NGP Readers can refer to this resolution in their own comments and rely on the information conveyed by Representative Millett's resolution.  -dh)

Yesterday didn't disappoint attendees from several countries as a blue ribbon cast of characters presented the latest Alaska and Northern Canada energy information at the 7th Annual Alaska Oil and Gas Congress.  Since we are preparing to Co-chair day two, reports and photos will be delayed until this weekend.  Today, my Co-chairman, John Kingston will kick off proceedings and I will summarize at the end of the day following presentations by: Lt. Gov. Mead Treadwell; Alaska BOEMRE director, Dr. James Kendall; OCS Permitting experts, Matt Cohen and Jeff Leppo of Stoel Rives LLP, WA; Drue Pearce, Crowell & Moring LLP's Senior Policy Advisor; Alaska Department of Natural Resources Commissioner Dan Sullivan; BLM's Alaska Director Bud Cribley; and National Ocean Policy Coalition Executive Director Brent Greenfield.  Two intreguing panels will end the day: one on the Alaska oil production tax and another on keeping the Trans Alaska Pipeline throughput viable,  with speakers including: Alaska Revenue Deputy Commissioner Bruce Tangeman; CPA Dan Dickinson; Senator Hollis French; Former House Speaker and Legislative Digest publisher Mike Bradner, Tim Bradner of the Alaska Journal of Commerce, Petroleum Economist Roger Marks, Senator Bill Wielechowski and Representative Charisse Millett.  

ADN by Sean Cockerham.  Gov. Sean Parnell continued to bash the federal government Tuesday and said he's lobbying legislators to pass his proposal for a major reduction in how much the state taxes oil companies. Parnell on Tuesday morning gave the opening address at the Alaska Oil and Gas Congress, an annual petroleum trade gathering being held at the Marriott Hotel in Anchorage.  (Comment:  we believe that Parnell was quite restrained and polite in comments involving the Federal goovernment.  Also, he didn't say he was lobbying for 'his' proposal on taxes and specifically noted he had no pride of authorship and would support independent legislative initiatives that could help make Alaska more competitive.  -dh)

At the Oil & Gas Congress U.S. Sen. Mark Begich told the audience he urged the state to consider a loan guarantee that would help with financing for a major Alaska natural gas pipeline.  Read ADN/AP story: http://www.adn.com/2011/09/21/2079597/begich-urges-state-to-consider.html#ixzz1Yb2ynWYu

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Alaska Oil and Gas Conference Commences - Federal Coordinator Schedules Gasline Forum

20 September 2011 4:30am

Yesterday, we sent an email to our readers alerting them that the EPA had given final approval to Shell's Arctic OCS air quality permits.  And we editorialized.  Here is an Associated Press story appearing today and this is Governor Sean Parnell's (NGP Photo) reaction.  -dh

Today's 7th Annual Oil and Gas Congress at the Marriott Hotel in Anchorage is first welcomed today by Anchorage Mayor Dan Sullivan (NGP Photo), followed by Governor Sean Parnell's keynote address.  Alyeska Pipeline CEO Tom Barrett will examine declining pipeline throughput issues while Exxon and TransCanada gas pipeline project representatives will offer their latest status report.  We will hear from the gas pipeline Federal Coordinator, Larry Persily and Alaska's stand alone pipeline project CEO Dan Fauske.  Canada's Aboriginal Pipeline Group and Alaska's Arctic Slope Regional Corporation will analyze energy issues from their unique perspectives while Alaska's oil and gas director, Bill Barron and Great Bear Petroleum's Ed Duncan will bring us current on statewide prospects and north slope shale and viscous oil issues.  Finally, we are delighted that the founder of the Alliance Pipeline, John Lagadin, will give the first ever review of how he overcame the challenges leading to construction of one of North America's largest energy projects--and apply that challenges to current Alaska North Slope and Mackenzie valley challenges.

We'll tell you about tomorrow's program, tomorrow!

Jennifer Thompson of the Federal Coordinator's office yesterday alerted us to an upcoming gasline forum.  

 

The federal coordinator’s office for an Alaska natural gas pipeline is sponsoring a public forum Oct. 18 on what could be done to help the economics of a large pipeline from the North Slope to the Lower 48 states, while also supporting a smaller in-state spur line to serve Alaska’s needs. The forum will be held in Anchorage and streamed live on the Internet.
 
“Alaskans want a natural gas pipeline for the public revenues it will produce, for the oil and gas development it will promote, for the jobs it will create and for the affordable long-term gas supply it will provide to meet local needs. To get all of that will take a big line moving a lot of gas to make it affordable,” said Federal Coordinator Larry Persily.
 
The forum is intended to start a discussion to get Alaskans thinking: What could the state do to help gas line economics? How much risk can or should the state take on? Are there benefits and cost savings from working the big pipeline and smaller in-state line together, forming one overall path to a prosperous future for Alaska?
 
The Office of the Federal Coordinator for Alaska Natural Gas Transportation Projects will bring together panelists knowledgeable about the state’s economy and the economics of large energy projects to discuss the state’s fiscal options for assisting in any gas line development. The panelists will discuss potential financing options and how the two projects could benefit by working together.
 
“The economics of any large-scale gas pipeline project are daunting. Shippers must commit years in advance by signing binding contracts worth more than $100 billion to move their gas down the line, regardless of the market price in 2020, 2030 and beyond,” Persily said. “The worry of construction cost overruns is real. The timing of production and property taxes is within the state’s control and is a big factor in any investment decision on the pipeline, such as the billion-plus dollars in property taxes payable during pipeline construction. The forum will discuss these issues.”
 
Panelists will include William Garner, senior counsel at Dewey & LeBoeuf in Houston, who has extensive experience in energy projects worldwide; Gregg Erickson, a longtime Alaska economist; and Dan Fauske, president of the state-run Alaska Gasline Development Corp.
 
The forum is set for 5:30 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 18, at the University of Alaska Anchorage Fine Arts Building Recital Hall (Room 150). The forum is open to the public, and there will be time for questions. Seating will be limited, though overflow space will be available in a room down the hall.
 
The forum also will be available via live Internet streaming Oct. 18 and will be available online after the event, too. Streaming information and other forum details, including biographies of the speakers, supplemental materials and a link to electronically submit questions during the forum, can be found on the federal coordinator’s website www.arcticgas.gov.
 
Congress established the Federal Coordinator’s office in 2004 to expedite and coordinate federal permitting for a pipeline to deliver natural gas from Alaska’s North Slope to U.S. markets. 

 

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EPA Issued Shell's Chukchi and Beaufort Air Quality Permits Today - Cause for Celebration?

19 September 2011 4:17pm

NPG Readers: Please Comment on OCS before September 26, 2011  Comment in support of the Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) for the Chukchi Sea Oil and Gas Lease Sale 193, against further delay and 'affirming Lease Sale 193".   Send Comments to:
COMMENTS: Final SEIS, Chukchi Sea Lease Sale 193
c/o Regional Director, BOEMRE Alaska OCS Region
3801 Centerpoint Drive Ste. 500
Anchorage AK 99503-5820.

 

 NPG Readers: Please Comment on EPA O&G Emissions Regs.  Before October 24, 2011 send comments re: unnecessary natural gas emissions rules that will further slow down America's economy and employment without significant benefit.  Federal Register notice with filing instructions.

 

Comment on EPA release, below: Arctic exploration companies still face a gauntlet of Obama administrative agency permit approvals in order to mobilize for the 2012 summer season.  Shell's Alaska manager, Pete Slaiby (NGP Photo, 9-8-11), told audiences recently that the company would make its decision to 'go or no go' by mid October.  The EPA's multi-year delay of this OCS air quality permit complicated by lawsuits has already cost the Lessee (Shell) hundreds of millions as it prepared for earlier approvals and summer exploration seasons, then had to demobilize fleets of exploration assets when various permits were not forthcoming.  Alaskans who have witnessed the many ways interactive Obama administration agencies can act to 'go-no go' projects will not be comforted by this 'final permit approval'.  After all, the agency is now asking for 'petitions of review' to the 'final' decision and sister agencies can still stop America's greatest current domestic energy exploration effort dead in its tracks.  Remember 'the weakest link'?  Companies must sometimes think they are in a strange, opaque game show run by malicious children who take pleasure in saying, "go, no go" at times and in ways seemingly designed to bring America's domestic energy wealth and job production to a tragic and unnecessary end as caring citizens watch in horror.  We hope our suspicions are badly placed and that the governmental-enviroextremist cabal characterizing this Administration relents in the face of a national election long enough to let Arctic exploration thrive along with an improved job and economic recovery trend.    After all, they have robbed us of an innocent assumption that they value due process and they have given us much reason to be suspicious of their motives and moves.  -dh

(EPA Release From Seattle – Sept. 19, 2011) Today, EPA Region 10 issued final air quality permits to Shell for oil and gas exploration drilling in the Alaska Arctic. The permits will allow Shell to operate the Discoverer drill ship and a support fleet of icebreakers, oil spill response vessels, and supply ships for up to 120 days each year in the Chukchi Sea and Beaufort Sea Outer Continental Shelf starting in 2012.

Shell’s exploration drilling fleet will emit more than 250 tons of air pollutants a year and therefore, under existing law, must have federal Clean Air Act Outer Continental Shelf (OCS)/Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) permits. The permits set strict limits on air pollution from these vessels.
 
EPA Region 10 issued similar OCS/PSD air permits to Shell in 2010. Those permits were challenged by North Slope communities and environmental groups to the Environmental Appeals Board, which sent the permits back to EPA Region 10 in December 2010. EPA Region 10 revised the permits to address the issues raised by the Board.
 
Under the new permits, Shell will reduce its fleet emissions of most key air pollutants including fine particulates and nitrogen dioxide by more than 50 percent from the levels allowed in their 2010 permits. These reductions are largely due to new emissions controls Shell added to meet the new nitrogen dioxide standard that went into effect in 2011.
 
EPA Region 10’s approval of these revised OCS/PSD air permits is based in part on installation of state-of-the-art pollution reduction controls on the Discoverer drill ship to meet Best Available Control Technology requirements and to comply with the National Ambient Air Quality Standards.
The permits also require Shell to reduce air emissions by using Selective Catalytic Reduction and Oxidation Catalyst controls on two icebreakers, Catalytic Diesel Particulate Filters on the Nanuq oil spill response vessel and Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel fuel on the Discoverer drill ship and all vessels in the support fleet.
 
EPA Region 10 proposed the draft permits for public comment on July 6, 2011 and held informational meetings and a public hearing in Barrow, Alaska on Aug. 3 & 4, 2011.
The final permits and EPA Region 10’s responses to public comments are available on the web at: http://yosemite.epa.gov/R10/AIRPAGE.NSF/Permits/ocsap/.
 
Public petitions for review of these permits must be received by the Environmental Appeals Board no later than Oct. 24, 2011. More information about the procedures for filing an appeal including using the Board's e-filing system can be found at: http://www.epa.gov/eab/.
 
EPA Region 10 has proposed two other draft air permits for oil and gas exploration in the Alaska Arctic. Shell applied for an OCS/Title V air permit to operate its drilling rig Kulluk, in the Beaufort Sea starting in 2012. Public comment on the Shell Kulluk draft permit closed Sept. 6.
 
ConocoPhillips applied for an OCS/Title V permit to operate a jack-up drill rig in the Chukchi Sea starting in 2013. Public comment on the ConocoPhillips draft permit ends Sept. 21. EPA Region 10 will issue final permits after comments from the public are reviewed and considered.
 
EPA Region 10 air permits ensure compliance with air quality regulations during drilling operations but on their own do not authorize drilling. The U.S. Bureau of Ocean and Energy Management and Regulatory Enforcement is the federal agency that authorizes oil drilling in offshore federal waters. Find more at: http://www.boemre.gov/
 
Note: If the link above doesn't work, please copy and paste the URL into a browser. 
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Much Ado About Exploration: News and Commentary - 7th Annual Alaska Oil & Gas Congress Kicks Off Tomorrow!

19 September 2011 4:33am

Some of the Canadians expected to address US and Canadian audience members of the 7th Annual Oil & Gas Congress include TransCanada's Tony Palmer, Alliance Pipeline Founder, John Lagadin, and Fred Carmichael of the Aboriginal Pipeline Group.  A Who's Who of Alaskan energy leaders will appear tomorrow and Wednesday, while large array of Alaska in-state energy leaders will participate in an all-day session on Thursday.  -dh

 

The Seventh Annual Alaska Oil and Gas Congress convenes tomorrow in Anchorage (Agenda).  Your author and Platts' Director of News, John Kingston (NGP Photo), will co-chair the conference.  The agenda covers virtually all oil & gas issues at play today in Alaska and northern Canada.  We will bring you a few reports from the conference.  -dh

Petroleum News.  Norwegian oil major Statoil is still figuring out its continuing plans for Chukchi Sea exploration, determining the resources it needs and deciding on the timing of any exploration drilling, Lars Sunde, the head of Statoil Exploration Alaska's Anchorage office, said this month.

Petroleum News by Eric Lidji.  Repsol is planning to conduct one of the broadest single-season North Slope exploration campaigns in recent memory, according to recently filed documents.

Comment:  Both of these stories have to do about the possibility of or planning to perform

Here is last week's video presentation by the Commissioner of Natural Resources, Dan Sullivan (NGP Photo), on throughput status of the Trans Alaska Pipeline System (TAPS), Alaska's economic lifeline and one of America's critical sources of domestic production, jobs and national security.  -dh

exploratory drilling.  For Alaska citizens, the challenge remains:  Supporting government policy that leads to production that will fill Alaska's economic lifeline, the Trans Alaska oil pipeline.  Filling a now declining pipeline requires production of huge new reserves of oil.  The sources of huge new reserves rest beneath state and federal lands.  State tax policy currently encourages exploration but discourages production.  Federal policy currently discourages exploration without which there cannot be production.  Citizens are logically left with the conclusion that their future and the fortune of their children rests with an Alaska government addicted to double digit growth while its income dwindles and a federal government that continuously delays the granting of permits that would lead to production, jobs and economic recovery.  Yes, from a citizen perspective, the government looks broken at worst.  At best we watch the spectacle of one generation trying to transfer wealth and opportunity to itself from the next.  

P.S.  The Alaska Commissioner of Natural Resources' office announced sponsorship of an Alaska Strategic and Critical Minerals Summit.  That is important, well and good.  But if the oil pipeline is not sustained as discussed above, Alaska's infrastructure and ability to support the sort of resource development discussed below diminishes.  Also, if politicians kill energy production in Alaska, minerals investors have to be wondering two things: 1) "what sort of tax and regulatory changes can we expect from the unpredictable federal and state governments," and 2)  "if the big energy producers are discouraged from exploring and producing, will state politicians look to mining and other industries like tourism and commercial fishing to make up the difference to their coffers?"

 Our suggestion: evolve a smaller government and reduce costly regulations wherever possible--if we really care about passing on a sustainable economy to our children.  A second suggestion: all citizens could help determine the outcome of these issues by commenting on the federal and state energy issues noted below!  -dh

The state of Alaska and the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) are sponsoring an Alaska Strategic and Critical Minerals Summit in Fairbanks on Sept. 30. This all-day event will focus on Alaska’s potential for exploration, development and processing of strategic minerals, which include rare-earth elements (REEs).

Governor Sean Parnell and U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski will speak at the summit. The agenda includes presentations by experts from the minerals industry, government agencies and UAF. A press conference is planned midday.
 
“Despite our world-class mines, Alaska remains relatively under explored for minerals. We have the potential to boost our contribution to the nation’s domestic supply of strategic minerals,” said Natural Resources Commissioner Dan Sullivan.
 
Alaska’s mineral potential includes at least 70 known occurrences of REEs. Geologists working for the state received funding this year to conduct a statewide assessment of strategic mineral occurrences. Their research is ongoing.
 
To register for the event, go to http://alaskastrategicminerals.eventbrite.com

 Houston Chronicle: Offshore drilling chief to stay on the job.   The federal agency that oversees offshore drilling will be dismantled in two weeks, but the former prosecutor who now heads the office isn’t going anywhere — at least not right away. Michael Bromwich will serve as director of the new Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement until a permanent director is selected, the Obama administration confirmed today. Tommy Beaudreau will take over as the head of the new Bureau of Ocean Energy Management. The two agencies — known as BSEE and BOEM — are set to replace the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement on Oct. 1. Bromwich currently heads BOEMRE, and Beaudreau is a senior adviser there.

Also, the President's authority to use the Antiquities Act to unilaterally designate new National Monuments was the subject of a legislative hearing last week.

Issues begging citizen comment: 

 NPG Readers: Please Comment on EPA O&G Emissions Regs 
Before October 24, 2011 send comments re: unnecessary natural gas emissions rules that will further slow down America's economy and employment without significant benefit.  Federal Register notice with filing instructions
NPG Readers: Please Comment on ANWR.  Here's how.
Testify: Fairbanks 10-19-11, Anchorage 10-20-11
Written testimony due: 11-15-11
(We are pleased to note House Joint Resolution 11 sponsored by by Charisse Millett (NGP Photo) in the House urging the Congress to not convert the 1002 area of ANWR to a status that prevents oil and gas development.   NGP Readers can refer to this resolution in their own comments and rely on the information conveyed by Representative Millett's resolution.  -dh)

 

October 14 ends the comment period for the Wishbone Hill Coal Permit Renewal and we urge readers to file electronic comments early.  Don't be technical if that's not your background; just say, "I support the Wishbone Hill Coal Permit Renewal".  Here's the state webpage and here is a very good letter penned by Alaska State Senator Cathy Giessel (NGP Photo).  We would be delighted to post other legislative and citizen comments on this and other comment period issues -- such as those coming up in the blocks above.  Write us here. We urge citizens and public officials to take just a few minutes to influence a process that will determine what kind of economy our children will inherit.  -dh
 

 

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Citizens Rally To The Call For Comment

16 September 2011 5:46am

Scroll down to review current comment periods.

NGP Reader Kaye Laughlin (NGP Photo) sends us this copy of the testimony/comment she provide the USFWS re: the ANWR wilderness threat.  

 

 

Here is a position paper on the ANWR issue provided by Acting Executive Director of the Resource Development Council for Alaska,Carl Portman (NGP Photo-L).  

 

We are aware of hundreds of other comments but have these additional examples for our readers:

Alaska legislator, Representative Bob Lynn (NGP Photo-L), gave the USFWS a comment, reading in part: "I want to see ANWR open to oil exploration and production."

Alaska legislator, Representative Charisse Millett (Photo below) has continued to be -- with Senator Cathy Giessel (Photo below) -- among Alaska's most prolific commenters on federal policy issues.  As examples, for reader reference, we  note comments on: Beluga Whale Critical Habitat, ANWR Conservation Plan Review, BOEM SEIS Chukchi Sea, NMRS Resolution HJR 40 re: Beluga, BOEMRE's 2012-2017 Leasing Program, EPA Air Permits-Chukchi and Beaufort Seas, BOEMRE re: OCS moratoria, BOEMRE's 2007-2012 Leasing Program.

 NPG Readers: Please Comment on OCS before September 26, 2011  
Comment in support of the Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) for the Chukchi Sea Oil and Gas Lease Sale 193, against further delay and 'affirming Lease Sale 193"
 Send Comments:
COMMENTS: Final SEIS, Chukchi Sea Lease Sale 193
c/o Regional Director, BOEMRE Alaska OCS Region
3801 Centerpoint Drive Ste. 500
Anchorage AK 99503-5820.

 NPG Readers: Please Comment on EPA O&G Emissions Regs 
Before October 24, 2011 send comments re: unnecessary natural gas emissions rules that will further slow down America's economy and employment without significant benefit.  Federal Register notice with filing instructions
NPG Readers: Please Comment on ANWR.  Here's how.
Testify: Fairbanks 10-19-11, Anchorage 10-20-11
Written testimony due: 11-15-11
(We are pleased to note House Joint Resolution 11 sponsored by by Charisse Millett (NGP Photo) in the House urging the Congress to not convert the 1002 area of ANWR to a status that prevents oil and gas development.   NGP Readers can refer to this resolution in their own comments and rely on the information conveyed by Representative Millett's resolution.  -dh)

 

October 14 ends the comment period for the Wishbone Hill Coal Permit Renewal and we urge readers to file electronic comments early.  Don't be technical if that's not your background; just say, "I support the Wishbone Hill Coal Permit Renewal".  Here's the state webpage and here is a very good letter penned by Alaska State Senator Cathy Giessel (NGP Photo).  We would be delighted to post other legislative and citizen comments on this and other comment period issues -- such as those coming up in the blocks above.  Write us here. We urge citizens and public officials to take just a few minutes to influence a process that will determine what kind of economy our children will inherit.  -dh
 

 

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Democrats and Republicans: Hear and Heed the Call!

15 September 2011 11:54am

Today we sent an email alert to mostly our Anchorage area readers.  We are sorry we did not get this entered into our email distribution queue until late morning but are hopeful some will find it useful.  In the alert, we said:

Let's urge our Democratic and Republican friends in Anchorage to attend their respective functions today and promote the need to work together to FILL THE PIPELINE.  
Here are the events:
1. Bartlett Democratic Club, Noon at Denny's Restaurant on Debarr Road.
 
Here is the message we referred to above:  "Please comment and participate in these government hearings/comment periods that will influence Alaska's future":
 
 NPG Readers: Please Comment on OCS before September 26, 2011  
Comment in support of the Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) for the Chukchi Sea Oil and Gas Lease Sale 193, against further delay and 'affirming Lease Sale 193"
 Send Comments:
COMMENTS: Final SEIS, Chukchi Sea Lease Sale 193
c/o Regional Director, BOEMRE Alaska OCS Region
3801 Centerpoint Drive Ste. 500
Anchorage AK 99503-5820.
 
 
 NPG Readers: Please Comment on EPA O&G Emissions Regs 
Before October 24, 2011 send comments re: unnecessary natural gas emissions rules that will further slow down America's economy and employment without significant benefit.  Federal Register notice with filing instructions
NPG Readers: Please Comment on ANWR.  Here's how.
Testify: Fairbanks 10-19-11, Anchorage 10-20-11
Written testimony due: 11-15-11.  Governor Sean Parnell  Rebukes Federal Government
Petroleum News Alaska Story.  (We are pleased to note House Joint Resolution 11 urging the Congress to not convert the 1002 area of ANWR to a status that prevents oil and gas development.   NGP Readers can refer to this resolution in their own comments.  -dh)

 

Reader Jennifer Thompson of the Alaska Gas Pipeline Federal Coordinator's office writes,
"The Office of the Federal Coordinator today posted online its new, searchable permits matrix to help the public better understand the complexities, the data needs and schedules of the multiple federal approvals required for the Alaska North Slope natural gas pipeline.    The revised permits matrix is available at http://www.arcticgas.gov/permits-matrix."

 

 

 

 

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