Fairbanks News Miner.  The public will have 30 more days to comment on federal regulations for exploratory drilling in the Arctic.  Please visit the RDC website to learn more…then, please comment.  -dh

APRN by Alexandra Gutierrez.

Gov. Bill Walker ​(NGP Photo) has issued a proclamation that would force legislators to act on his appointments.

The executive proclamation comes days after legislative leadership cancelled their confirmation session — and days after the governor sent a six-page letter reiterating that he would veto a contentious gasline bill….

The last time a governor forced lawmakers into joint session over confirmations was in 1983, when then-Gov. Bill Sheffield (NGP Photo) sent state troopers after legislators to force them to appear on the floor.

News-Miner opinion: Sometimes cooler heads prevail. Thursday afternoon, the Alaska House passed House Bill 105, which would allow the Interior Energy Project to refocus on a Cook Inlet supply of natural gas. The bill’s passage marked the end of half its arduous journey through the Legislature; the other half is underway. HB 105’s transit through the House was marked by near-death experiences, from its numerous committee referrals to a series of amendments last week in the House Resources Committee that would have required approval by the Legislature for milestone investments in the project.  There’s a light at the end of the tunnel, and Interior legislators deserve credit for returning HB 105 to a more workable form.  More….

Calgary Herald by Dan Healing.  Regulatory OK of a natural gas pipeline expansion in B.C. improves the likelihood that the Pacific NorthWest LNG project will be built, but a final investment decision still awaits other government approvals, the proponent said Thursday. … The $1.7-billion project will consist of two 42-inch pipeline sections totaling about 301 kilometres. It would allow transport of gas from northeastern B.C. and Alberta through an interconnection with TransCanada’s proposed Prince Rupert Gas Transmission Project to provide gas to the Petronas-led liquefied natural gas export facility on Lelu Island, near Prince Rupert.