Comment.  Yesterday SB 167 appeared as a new bill though it appears to be the same decoupling bill (SB305) that Senators Bert Stedman (L) & Joe Paskvan (NGP Photos) sent to the Governor in 2010, and was subsequently vetoed by the Governor.  It appears to do nothing to improve Alaska's investment climate by reducing oil taxes, reducing progressivity, or increasing credits (like HB110).  Some are predicting that it could morph into the Senate's own version of an oil tax bill this session (eventually).        -dh

Fairbanks News Miner by Jeff Richardson.  The Greater Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce renewed its push to reform the state’s oil tax system Tuesday, hosting a panel of business leaders to discuss the looming problems behind declining North Slope production. ... “The momentum is slowing,” Northrim Bank President Joe Beedle (NGP Photo) said. “As we look at our budgets and growth for the future, we’re concerned.” ADN by Sean Cockerham.  Regulators have approved a deal for Chugach Electric Association to buy Fire Island wind power, a move that should allow Cook Inlet Region Inc. [...]

"LEST WE FORGET: 2016" 9-11-15 Lest We Forget – Northern Gas Pipelines 9-2001 Last week the Alaska State Senate Labor and Commerce Committee held a hearing focused on the oil industry's local hire activities.  We compliment Aves Thompson (NGP Photo) Executive Director of the Alaska Trucking Association, for urging lawmakers to focus on sustaining the Alaska oil pipeline.  "My point is that, in our view, we need to focus on increasing production.  I think we all agree that Alaska’s highest priority is to put more oil in the pipeline. By focusing on that priority, [...]

Fuel Fix: A Houston-based exploration firm’s efforts to drill for natural gas in Alaska’s Cook Inlet is drawing the ire of shipping groups that believe it is violating the Jones Act. AP/ADN by Becky Bohrer.  Governor Sean Parnell (NGP Photo) ... told The Associated Press he iscurrently working to get the votes needed in the Senate to advance the tax cut narrowly passed by the House during the regular legislative session. The bill stalled in the Senate, with leaders in the majority bloc saying they didn't have the information needed to [...]

Alberta Oil Magazine by Darren Campbell.  As everyone returns to the office after the Victoria Day long weekend, supporters of the star-crossed Mackenzie Gas Project (MGP) are left to wonder what the future holds for the $16.2 billion proposed pipeline scheme now that BP plc and ConocoPhillips have announced they are dropping out of the race to build an Alaska natural gas pipeline. What does a couple of Big Oil companies giving up on their plans to build a pipeline have to do with the fortunes of a project proposing [...]