Globe and Mail by Nathan VanderKlippe.  A decades-old northern dream has taken a major step ahead after the panel that was assigned to review the Mackenzie Valley natural gaspipeline concluded that it should go forward.  The Joint Review Panel, which has spent the past half-decade assessing the project, has concluded the $16.2-billion project “would deliver valuable and lasting overall benefits and avoid significant adverse environmental impacts.”  But in a 679-page report, the panel lays out a number of measures designed to slow the pace of Arctic development the pipeline could spur.... 12-31-09 Cairo [...]

ADN by Don Hunter.  Two of the state's top politicians Tuesday said the state should finance an aggressive round of scientific research of Cook Inlet's beluga whales to counter a federal conclusion that the whales are endangered and need special habitat protections.  Congressman Don Young (NGP Photo-r) and Anchorage Mayor Dan Sullivan (NGP Photo-l), speaking at a joint news conference at City Hall, also said they are asking the government to extend for 60 days a comment period on designating critical habitat for the whales. The Anchorage Assembly earlier unanimously passed [...]

1.  Alaska Dispatch by Rena Delbridge (NGP Photo).  Some lawmakers say there's a limit to the amount of taxation the oil industry -- which provides 90 percent of the revenue to Alaska's state treasury -- will tolerate. There's a line, they say, and if the state crosses it, oil companies will no longer be willing to keep reinvesting their profits in developing Alaska's resources.  That line -- so fine it's invisible -- could be the centerpiece of debate in the legislative session that starts Jan. 19. 2.  Radio Kenai by [...]

1.  Last Thursday, the FERC approved the Jordan Cove Energy Project, L.P. Oregon LNG project. 2.  Slave River Journal by Shawn Bell.  In the shadow of the Joint Review Panel's imminent decision on the Mackenzie Gas Pipeline, the GNWT Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment presented a dire picture of the Mackenzie Valley without a pipeline to proponents in Calgary last week.  "I want to provide you with a mental picture of this small town[Inuvik]," Bob McLeod (NGP Photo) said in a Calgary speech on Dec. 13. "It is a town [...]

We Continually Focus On U.S. OCS (with revenue sharing) Because Of The Greatest Prospects For New Production Supporting Oil And Gas Transportation Systems And Alaska's Economy!   We Keep Another Steady, Concerned And Objective Eye On The Leadership Required To Meet the Awesome Tax, Regulatory And Fiscal Challenges Which Are So Critical To Onshore Investment As Well.   -dh 1.  Houston Chronicle.   A new Rasmussen Reports survey that found roughly seven out of 10 U.S. voters support offshore oil drilling. According to the poll, just 20 percent oppose drilling for oil [...]

Potential Gas Supply Disruption! Anchorage's Mayor, Dan Sullivan (NGP Photo), began his administration this summer with a goal of addressing energy supply issues.  His hard work and planning will pay off when any sort of disruption of service occurs.  This particular disruption may have more effect on Fairbanks natural gas customers than those in Southcentral Alaska, but highlights the importance of emergency preparations.  -dh

1.  Historical Highlight: Who Was Justice Thomas R. Berger?  More on the Mackenzie status: Intelligence Daily, and Fuel Space (See yesterday's links, too.)    2.  Comment.  We received an Alaska North Slope Borough (NSB) news release late yesterday.  We compliment Mayor Edward Itta (NGP Photo) and the NSB on a decision to not join in current lawsuits designed to stop or further delay 2010 exploration plans for the Beaufort Sea.  "I believe we can ultimately get to a plan that works for industry and satisfies our deepest concerns," Itta said.  We respect the Mayor's [...]

CBC by FP.  A major stumbling block in the decades-long effort to build the $16.2-billion Mackenzie Valley natural gas pipeline could be cleared at the end of this month.  “We’re told the Joint Review Panel will be releasing its report at the end of this month, on December 31,” Bob McLeod (NGP Photo), the Northwest Territories' Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment, said in an interview in Calgary Tuesday.   *   Green Life.   A panel examining the social and environmental effects of a delayed Arctic natural gas pipeline is expected to meet [...]

1.  Governor Sean Parnell (NGP Photo-l, and Photo-r with Chamber Chairman Tony Izzo) appeared before the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce yesterday to announce his budget proposal to the Alaska Legislature.  The Governor commented on an in-state natural gas pipeline project (see ADN report below).  He also continued to exercise his leadership on the economy, specifically the OCS issue.  He spoke to the high volume of anti-development initiatives produced by the White House during Obama's first year in office (See the latest, Item #6, below).   He noted that his Washington representative, John Katz--who [...]