Dehcho Challenges Remain For Mackenzie Gas Pipeline Sponsors

Former Mayor Jim Whitaker (NGP Photo) takes over Port Authority…seeks North Slope gas supply

Comment:  In 1959 State and Federal leaders agreed Alaskans had justified statehood based on their ability to become a self-sustaining, natural resource state.  Today, we have identified federal natural resource policies designed to return Alaska to a pre-statehood dependency on the Federal government.  State policies — which govern investment on state-controlled lands — have become decidedly investment-unfriendly.  Both state and federal cooperation is needed for Alaska’s natural resources based economy to work.

Today is a deadline for comment on federal action necessary to permit the summer 2011 Beaufort Sea exploration program to occur.  We know that the current, federal administration is biased against Alaska natural resource development–even with the economies of the United States and Alaska at stake.  However, to take action against Beaufort exploration, they need a record of public opposition to that pending, 2011 program.  The Administration’s environmentally extreme supporters are busy generating thousands of ‘comments’ opposing natural resource development in Alaska.  The Beaufort and Chukchi Sea exploration programs are the most immediate source of large new volumes of oil for Alaska’s dying lifeline, the one-third full Trans Alaska Pipeline System (TAPS).  New Arctic oil could extend the life of TAPS.  New Arctic natural gas supplies could support the economic attractiveness of an Arctic natural gas pipeline.

Please write a short letter today supporting the 2011 Beaufort Sea exploration program.  Here are the directions for how to do that.  Here are the many Alaskans who have taken a few minutes to weigh in.  Please join them; send us your comment and we will post it here as well.

Keep the faith.  Merry Christmas!  -dh