Edmonton Journal by Sheila Pratt. A few weeks before he stepped down as premier, Ed Stelmach flew to Fort McMurray with a key document tucked into his briefcase. The proposal for a 20-year supply of land — enough to stabilize sky-high housing prices, enough to handle an expected 200,000 people — was a key issue for Mayor Melissa Blake and the struggling boomtown.
Energy Central Commentary by Marty Rosenberg. Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden (NGP Photo-R) has 
taken the helm of the powerful Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
taken the helm of the powerful Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.Many have noted that President Barack Obama last week in his State of the Union address declared several bold energy initiatives would be at the heart of his efforts to leave a lasting legacy in his second term as president.
One of his key partners will be Wyden, a Democrat, who has earned a reputation as somewhat maverick – and bipartisan – in his political career.
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Speak up for more oil production!
Now is the time to speak up for increasing oil flow through the pipeline.
After hearing testimony yesterday, Members of the Senate Resources committee will hear public testimony on Senate Bill 21 on Wednesday as well.
Wednesday, February 20
Senate Resources – 5:15 p.m.
SB 21 – Oil and Gas Production Tax
Juneau Capitol Room 205
Statewide – Local LIO List Here
In addition, members of the Anchorage Caucus will meet this Saturday to hear public testimony on a wide variety of topics, including oil taxes. Plan to take advantage of having all Anchorage-area legislators in town at once to tell them in person how important increasing oil production is for our state’s economy.
Saturday, February 23
Anchorage Caucus Community Meeting
Loussac Library Assembly Chambers
3600 Denali Street
Anchorage 9:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Please use these opportunities to let your elected officials know the State needs to set a fair and balanced oil tax policy that achieves one major, overarching goal: increasing the amount of oil flowing through the pipeline.
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Please present brief testimony at your local Legislative Information Office urging the legislature to make policy changes this session to attract new investment and increase North Slope production.
Express support for Governor Parnell’s efforts and his four guiding principles in oil production tax reform:
To read the Governor’s bills (SB 21/HB 72) to reform oil production taxes, the fiscal notes and the Governor’s transmittal letter, visit:
http://www.legis.state.ak.us/basis/get_bill.asp?bill=HB%20%2072&session=28
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I talked to the senator, whom I have known for several decades, a few weeks ago as he was preparing to take his new post.
ENERGYBIZ:
What are your goals as new leader of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources?
What are your goals as new leader of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources?
Wyden:
I’m talking with Democrats and Republicans on the committee about how the country modernizes its energy policy. The last major legislation was some time ago, actually 2007. A lot has changed, particularly with natural gas. Natural gas is a strategic asset. It’s important to have a discussion about how to really tap its full potential.
I’m talking with Democrats and Republicans on the committee about how the country modernizes its energy policy. The last major legislation was some time ago, actually 2007. A lot has changed, particularly with natural gas. Natural gas is a strategic asset. It’s important to have a discussion about how to really tap its full potential.
ENERGYBIZ:
What issues surround the natural gas revolution?
What issues surround the natural gas revolution?
Wyden:
The fracking question will be one. The question of methane emissions will be one. But I’m upbeat about the potential. The first things you look at are various technological fixes.
The fracking question will be one. The question of methane emissions will be one. But I’m upbeat about the potential. The first things you look at are various technological fixes.
ENERGYBIZ:
Should we continue to subsidize wind and solar?
Should we continue to subsidize wind and solar?
Wyden:
It is going to be a challenge. It will have to be part of the discussion about tax reform.
It is going to be a challenge. It will have to be part of the discussion about tax reform.
ENERGYBIZ:
Do you see any grand bipartisan deals on the energy front?
Do you see any grand bipartisan deals on the energy front?
Wyden:
On issue after issue, I spend a lot of time trying to bring Democrats and Republicans together. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (NGP Photo above), the ranking Republican on the energy committee, and I have been talking for some time about the possibility.
On issue after issue, I spend a lot of time trying to bring Democrats and Republicans together. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (NGP Photo above), the ranking Republican on the energy committee, and I have been talking for some time about the possibility.
ENERGYBIZ:
Do you think small modular nuclear units are promising?
Do you think small modular nuclear units are promising?
Wyden:
There are some opportunities there. It’s something I’m going to spend significant time looking at.
There are some opportunities there. It’s something I’m going to spend significant time looking at.
ENERGYBIZ:
What about the future of coal?
What about the future of coal?
Wyden:
The electric utility industry is significantly moving to natural gas rather than coal. As a result, CO2 emissions in the United States have fallen to a 20-year low. That doesn’t mean that the United States does not continue to use coal. There are new coal technologies, like gasification, that are coming online that certainly ought to be looked at.
The electric utility industry is significantly moving to natural gas rather than coal. As a result, CO2 emissions in the United States have fallen to a 20-year low. That doesn’t mean that the United States does not continue to use coal. There are new coal technologies, like gasification, that are coming online that certainly ought to be looked at.
ENERGYBIZ:
Do you think we should have a national energy policy?
Do you think we should have a national energy policy?
Wyden:
I do. It is something I do feel strongly about.
I do. It is something I do feel strongly about.
This is the time to take a fresh look at a lot of issues.
Early on, I want us to lay out exactly how creating more high-skill, high-wage jobs, and a modern, coherent energy policy are two sides of the same coin. Elections, Marty, are ultimately about renewal, about making a fresh start. There is a lot of interest in building a bipartisan coalition and a coherent, modern energy policy.
The future of national energy policy will be fully explored at the EnergyBiz Leadership Forum in Washington March 18-19. Please consider joining us for this important exploration of “Strategies for a Radically New Utility Universe.”
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