GAS PIPELINE NEWS: On Monday, July 30, from 1-4 p.m. in the Anchorage Legislative Information Office, Room 220, 715 W. 4th Avenue, the Legislature’s Joint "In-State Gas Caucus" is hosting a meeting of state, federal and industry officials to hear updates on efforts to monetize the state’s natural gas and Point Thompson resources.
B.C. releases requirements for new heavy oil pipelines – Calgary Herald – Calgary Herald facebook page …. The British Columbia government has today outlined five requirements that must be met before it approves any new heavy-oil pipeline, such as the Enbridge Northern Gateway.
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Note the continuing Federal government opposition to rational, cooperative energy policy development: The Department of the Interior has refused to confirm that it will make available five Department officials invited to testify and answer questions at a Full Committee hearing on yesterday regarding the May 2010 Interior Department action to impose a six-month drilling moratorium in the Gulf of Mexico and the Department’s report that falsely stated independent engineers had peer reviewed and supported a moratorium. House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings (NGP Photo) delivered the following opening statement on the House floor yesterday in support of H.R. 6082, the Congressional Replacement of President Obama’s Energy-Restricting and Job-Limiting Offshore Drilling Plan. |
Commentary: For several years now we have been recognizing all elected officials in Alaska who take time to comment at federal public hearings or supply written comment during federal agency comment periods.
Recently we recognized Alaska State Senator Cathy Giessel as one of the most dedicated members of the state Senate in this regard. Today, we make special note of Alaska State House of Representatives Member Charisse Millett (NGP Photo). We recall her superb testimony given to Secretary Salazar in April 2009, as the Secretary visited Alaska in the course of deliberating on his agency’s 2007-12 OCS lease sale schedule and an upcoming 2012-2017 OCS lease sale schedule.
She has been characteristically active in defending Alaska (and America) against poor Federal energy policies in recent weeks, as follows:
On July 9, she wrote U.S. House of Representatives Natural Resources Chairman, Doc Hastings, saying, "This letter is to express my unwavering support for H.R. 6082, legislation to replace President Obama’s job killing and energy restricting Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Drilling Plan with a sensible and environmentally responsible drilling strategy."
On July 17, she wrote Secretary of State Clinton: I am writing to express my strong support for the Keystone XL pipeline. The country needs the energy and jobs it will bring to our side of the border. Your department should approve the Presidential Permit immediately so construction can begin as soon as possible.
On the 18th of this month, Representative Millett wrote the EPA about an issue that could forever throttle Alaska’s economy and remove hope of a secure future from many of our children, as we ourselves editorialized. She wrote, "The Environmental Protection Agency is conducting an assessment of the Bristol Bay watershed that could have a chilling effect on any future natural resource development projects in Alaska. The EPA was petitioned two years ago to use its powers under section 404(c) of the Clean Water Act to preemptively veto any dredge or fill permits related to the proposed Pebble Mine Project."
While we have noted the appearances of a number of Alaska Republican Governors, Senators, Representatives and local elected officials, we have yet to make note of one single Democrat — except U.S. Senator Mark Begich — standing up to defend Alaska during Federal comment periods or at Federal agency hearings or ‘listening sessions’. We hope that as the November elections approach, we see more of Alaska’s local, state and statewide elected officials fully participating in federal regulatory processes. And, we will be honored to place their testimony here, preserving it for future reference. This is one tangible way that elected officials can truly defend Alaska’s constitution and most ably represent the views of their constituents. -dh
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