Alaska Dispatch by Jill Burke. On Wednesday the U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service’s Alaska region celebrated the act’s anniversary with a brief "Happy Birthday!" message on its website, and credited the law with the successful recovery of a handful of animals in Alaska. But nearly four decades after the act became law it’s become a source of ongoing and sometimes escalating tensions between the state of Alaska and federal regulators. De-listing species is something Alaska Gov. Sean Parnell (NGP Photo) likes to see. Regulating more animals under the Endangered Species Act isn’t. He’s distrustful of the process and has long questioned whether animals up for review truly meet the criteria. "It’s easier to prevent a problem than to correct it. To this end we’re manning the watchtower and looking for risks of unwarranted attempts to bring a species under the ESA regulatory umbrella," he said in a November speech to the Resource Development Council.
Fish and Wildlife Service’s Alaska region celebrated the act’s anniversary with a brief "Happy Birthday!" message on its website, and credited the law with the successful recovery of a handful of animals in Alaska. But nearly four decades after the act became law it’s become a source of ongoing and sometimes escalating tensions between the state of Alaska and federal regulators. De-listing species is something Alaska Gov. Sean Parnell (NGP Photo) likes to see. Regulating more animals under the Endangered Species Act isn’t. He’s distrustful of the process and has long questioned whether animals up for review truly meet the criteria. "It’s easier to prevent a problem than to correct it. To this end we’re manning the watchtower and looking for risks of unwarranted attempts to bring a species under the ESA regulatory umbrella," he said in a November speech to the Resource Development Council.Anchorage Press by Mike Dingman (NGP Photo). .jpg)
Now that Parnell has re-evaluated his opinion on oil taxes, he has gone to war with the State Senate to pass a reduction in the form of House Bill 110, which is a complete overhaul of the oil tax system. Last session that bill came to a screeching halt in the Senate and is now sitting idle in the Senate Labor and Commerce Committee.*** In both state and local government we have come to a crossroads. Ideologues on both sides would say it’s a battle of good vs. evil, but I think it’s simply a time when we, as a nation, will decide which direction we are headed. Heading into the direction of more government control is a dangerous path, and one we will not likely recover from. When we give up our liberties to government, we rarely ever see them returned. Take this time to contemplate the future-the future of the state, the municipality and your future and think how the actions of both entities will affect your future. Reflect on where we have been and where we are headed. Consider what it is you want from your government, and what you want your government to expect from you. Share those opinions with those you love, those you trust-those in your inner circle. Inspire and foster debate among those close to you and inspire them to do the same. Write to your representatives, call them or send them an email. Keep them informed, write to them regularly and let them know what you think. No matter how hard your elected officials want to work on your behalf, they can only represent the values of their constituents if they know what those values are. Then go for a walk and enjoy the snow, drink a cup of cocoa and sit by the fire. Watch the snow fall to the ground and disappear into the untouched expanse. Breathe the fresh, clean air, and appreciate the land where we live. We are, after all, truly in a winter wonderland. Reflect, get involved and help foster discussion that will lead Alaska into a prosperous direction for the upcoming year and into the future. (We think Mike Dingman might be among those we will remember as ‘the adult in the room’. -dh)
Now that Parnell has re-evaluated his opinion on oil taxes, he has gone to war with the State Senate to pass a reduction in the form of House Bill 110, which is a complete overhaul of the oil tax system. Last session that bill came to a screeching halt in the Senate and is now sitting idle in the Senate Labor and Commerce Committee.*** In both state and local government we have come to a crossroads. Ideologues on both sides would say it’s a battle of good vs. evil, but I think it’s simply a time when we, as a nation, will decide which direction we are headed. Heading into the direction of more government control is a dangerous path, and one we will not likely recover from. When we give up our liberties to government, we rarely ever see them returned. Take this time to contemplate the future-the future of the state, the municipality and your future and think how the actions of both entities will affect your future. Reflect on where we have been and where we are headed. Consider what it is you want from your government, and what you want your government to expect from you. Share those opinions with those you love, those you trust-those in your inner circle. Inspire and foster debate among those close to you and inspire them to do the same. Write to your representatives, call them or send them an email. Keep them informed, write to them regularly and let them know what you think. No matter how hard your elected officials want to work on your behalf, they can only represent the values of their constituents if they know what those values are. Then go for a walk and enjoy the snow, drink a cup of cocoa and sit by the fire. Watch the snow fall to the ground and disappear into the untouched expanse. Breathe the fresh, clean air, and appreciate the land where we live. We are, after all, truly in a winter wonderland. Reflect, get involved and help foster discussion that will lead Alaska into a prosperous direction for the upcoming year and into the future. (We think Mike Dingman might be among those we will remember as ‘the adult in the room’. -dh)
AP: Federal judge blocks California low-carbon fuels rule, saying it favors in-state producers – A federal judge moved Thursday to block California from enforcing its first-in-the-nation mandate for cleaner, low-carbon fuels, saying the rules favor biofuels produced in the state. The lawsuit challenging the state regulations, which were adopted as part of California’s landmark 2006 global warming law, was filed in federal court last year by a coalition that includes the National Petrochemical & Refiners Association and the Consumer Energy Alliance.
The Houston Chronicle: Help Houston Celebrate Its First Energy Day Festival – Since its founding, Houston’s success has been connected to the responsible development of energy. This began in 1901 with the discovery of oil in nearby Beaumont and continues today as we lead the nation in renewable energy development. Over time a clear trend is noticeable: Houston is quite literally "the tip of the spear" when it comes to the U.S. energy industry.
The Houston Chronicle: Eagle Ford gas boom luring builders – The housing business remains emphatically average across the major cities in Texas, as home builders continue to pull themselves up from the recession’s lows. But in many small South Texas communities, where oil and gas drilling is booming, housing — of any sort, be it RVs or single-family homes — can’t be added quickly enough.
UPI: Nebraska outlines route for Keystone XL – Nebraskan environmental regulators said they outlined a map for pipeline company TransCanada delineating areas the Keystone XL oil pipeline should avoid. Nebraska has objected to a proposal from TransCanada to build Keystone XL through the state’s Sandhills, an area containing the Ogallala Aquifer.
Wall Street Journal: AJC Urges Obama to Approve Keystone Pipeline Project
AJC urged President Obama to approve the Keystone XL pipeline construction as a vital step for strengthening energy security, particularly crucial following recent threats by Iran to block a major oil supply channel. "As if to emphasize the need for urgent action, just this week, in direct response to pending U.S. economic sanctions, Iran threatened to blockade the Strait of Hormuz–a move that, if carried out, would have profound economic and strategic consequences," Harris wrote.
Toronto Sun: Trump Fired Up Over Keystone Pipeline Delays
The White House-delayed Keystone XL pipeline proves Canada’s government trumps America’s, says The Donald. Contacted by the Sun, colorful U.S. billionaire Donald Trump bemoaned what he calls his country’s lack of leadership on a vital economic lifeline. “It’s an outrage our president isn’t approving the Keystone pipeline,” he said through a spokeswoman who reached Trump in Florida.
The White House-delayed Keystone XL pipeline proves Canada’s government trumps America’s, says The Donald. Contacted by the Sun, colorful U.S. billionaire Donald Trump bemoaned what he calls his country’s lack of leadership on a vital economic lifeline. “It’s an outrage our president isn’t approving the Keystone pipeline,” he said through a spokeswoman who reached Trump in Florida.
Oil Price: Reducing the Cost of Fuel Cells
Most folks don’t realize the depth of the economic problem that fuels cells pose for mass adoption. Often there are price quotes running in the tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars. That’s because the catalysts of choice are the noble metals platinum or palladium. These are very rare metals, more so than gold and have considerable market presence already in the automotive field.
Fantastic — renewable energy ‘investment’ is still being touted as a stable job creator in Europe Reuters (12/29/11) reports: Companies have announced plans to invest almost 2.5 billion pounds in renewable energy projects in the UK this year, the Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) said on Thursday…The plans could potentially create almost 12,000 jobs, DECC said, and compare with estimates from various consultants of around 2.1 billion pounds for the previous year…"Renewable energy is not just helping us increase our energy security and reduce our emissions. It is supporting jobs and growth across the country," Energy Secretary Chris Huhne said.
Do you think Iowans will support Newt “Mr. Ethanol” Gingrich in four days? It looks like he can also be “Mr. Wind” Politico (12/29/11) reports: Ethanol and wind are getting the bum’s rush in the Iowa primary…Energy issues — historically ethanol but increasingly wind — used to be a centerpiece of the first-in-the-nation caucuses, providing a national platform for a state that prides itself on excelling in renewable energy…But the vast cornfields and wind-swept plains of the Hawkeye State, while important to the local economy, have taken a back seat this year…In the past, ethanol was a hot topic in the Iowa caucuses, but in 2011, most of the GOP field came out against ethanol subsidies and greater numbers of Iowans seem to agree with them as larger, more pressing issues such as the economy and the budget take over.
You say you want an energy revolution? North Dakota is still looking ripe The Globe and Mail (12/29/11) reports: Kim Lindsay looks up at the gleaming steel of Precision Drilling Corp.’s (PD-T10.550.141.34%) Rig 560, dusted in snow and towering above the North Dakota prairie, and smiles…“This is hot off the press – been out a month,” said Mr. Lindsay, a U.S. manager with the company. The yellow paint on the rig’s Caterpillar engines is unsullied. The technology is state of the art, with a driller operating a joystick in front of rows of flat-panel monitors that look like something out of NASA mission control. Built in Canada, the rig was trucked across the border to drill for oil.
Canada surpassed the U.S. in economic freedom, but will they also surpass the U.S. in energy production? If they do, will greenies still threaten to move there? Pro Reublica (12/29/11) reports: Early last year, deep in the forests of northern British Columbia, workers for Apache Corp. performed what the company proclaimed was the biggest hydraulic fracturing operation ever…The project used 259 million gallons of water and 50,000 tons of sand to frack 16 gas wells side by side. It was "nearly four times larger than any project of its nature in North America," Apache boasted… The record didn’t stand for long. By the end of the year, Apache and its partner, Encana, topped it by half at a neighboring site.
Do you think Iowans will support Newt “Mr. Ethanol” Gingrich in four days? It looks like he can also be “Mr. Wind” Politico (12/29/11) reports: Ethanol and wind are getting the bum’s rush in the Iowa primary…Energy issues — historically ethanol but increasingly wind — used to be a centerpiece of the first-in-the-nation caucuses, providing a national platform for a state that prides itself on excelling in renewable energy…But the vast cornfields and wind-swept plains of the Hawkeye State, while important to the local economy, have taken a back seat this year…In the past, ethanol was a hot topic in the Iowa caucuses, but in 2011, most of the GOP field came out against ethanol subsidies and greater numbers of Iowans seem to agree with them as larger, more pressing issues such as the economy and the budget take over.
You say you want an energy revolution? North Dakota is still looking ripe The Globe and Mail (12/29/11) reports: Kim Lindsay looks up at the gleaming steel of Precision Drilling Corp.’s (PD-T10.550.141.34%) Rig 560, dusted in snow and towering above the North Dakota prairie, and smiles…“This is hot off the press – been out a month,” said Mr. Lindsay, a U.S. manager with the company. The yellow paint on the rig’s Caterpillar engines is unsullied. The technology is state of the art, with a driller operating a joystick in front of rows of flat-panel monitors that look like something out of NASA mission control. Built in Canada, the rig was trucked across the border to drill for oil.
Canada surpassed the U.S. in economic freedom, but will they also surpass the U.S. in energy production? If they do, will greenies still threaten to move there? Pro Reublica (12/29/11) reports: Early last year, deep in the forests of northern British Columbia, workers for Apache Corp. performed what the company proclaimed was the biggest hydraulic fracturing operation ever…The project used 259 million gallons of water and 50,000 tons of sand to frack 16 gas wells side by side. It was "nearly four times larger than any project of its nature in North America," Apache boasted… The record didn’t stand for long. By the end of the year, Apache and its partner, Encana, topped it by half at a neighboring site.
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