ADN by Paul Jenkins.  Slated for the Aug. 28 primary ballot, Ballot Measure 2 is an initiative from hell: a convoluted, 15-page freak show slapped together behind closed doors. The state estimates it would cost $5.4 million to run this vague, unvetted scheme.  The 703-word measure -- the longest in state history -- would create an entirely new coastal management regime. It would defang the Legislature, end-run the Alaska Constitution and subject development in Alaska to the capricious whim of a new, powerful and unaccountable bureaucracy bound by few, if [...]

CBC.  A litre of self-serve regular gasoline is up to $1.277 in the Halifax area. The House of Representatives yesterday passed H.R. 4402, the National Strategic and Critical Minerals Production Act, sponsored by Rep. Mark Amodei, by a bipartisan vote of 256-160.  The bill would streamline government red tape to allow the U.S. to more efficiently develop our Nation's strategic and critical minerals, such as rare earth elements, that are vital to job creation, American economic competitiveness and national security.   This bill, if coupled with more reasonable leasing of [...]

Comment: Tax Freedom Day In Alaska Was April 5.  In Canada it was June 11 (See below).  We ask: "When will North American governments begin relinquishing economic control over citizens in favor of free enterprise solutions?"  The answer to that question in large measure will determine the future success of energy independence, national security, job creation, economic wellbeing and personal freedom.  -dh Here are the latest Fraser Institute research studies, newspaper commentaries, and videos.       Tax Freedom Day: June 11, 2012 Monday, June 11 was Tax Freedom Day, the day [...]

PNA by Kristen Nelson.  Aging oil and gas fields in Southcentral Alaska’s Cook Inlet basin may no longer be attractive to major companies, but for a mid-sized Houston independent, Hilcorp Energy, finding ways to produce more oil from big old fields is a way of life. ADN/PNA by Wesley Loy.  Executives with Cook Inlet Energy LLC are looking to lay a subsea pipeline across the Inlet to carry west-side crude oil to Tesoro's Kenai Peninsula refinery. Today's CEA Energy Links:   Associated Press: Officials: North Dakota energy policy is model for [...]

  The Alaska Gasline Development Corporation, this week, announced the formation of a Community Advisory Council to promote communication and collaboration along the in-state pipeline route.  The Alaska Gasline Development Corporation is tasked with developing the in-state natural gas pipeline known as the ASAP project (Alaska Stand Alone Pipeline). ASAP Community Advisory Council Co-chairs Tim Navarre of Kenai and Mayor Jason Mayrand of Nenana are pleased with the progress being made on the structure of the council.  ASAP Community Advisory Council has held two meetings and the Co-chairs advise they [...]

 North Dakota and Fairbanks readers follow our Governor's travels and speeches! U.S. begins review of TransCanada's new Keystone pipeline route - Calgary Herald - Main callout pointer for calgaryherald.com .... generate a large volume of greenhouse gases and say a change of the route will not lessen the pipeline's dangers. Calgary Herald - One of three companies planning a $4.5-billion liquefied natural gas terminal at Kitimat on Thursday.... Main callout pointer for calgaryherald.com .... Shell Canada details B.C. liquefied natural gas project · Widening of gas pipeline to Kitimat ... See all stories on this topic »

 Widening of gas pipeline to Kitimat wins approval - Calgary Herald - Proponents of what could be Canada's first liquefied natural gas export terminal have won an application. - www.calgaryherald.com/business/energy.../story.html Today's Consumer Energy Alliance Links:  Tampa Bay Online: From fracking, natural gas to keep Florida moving **Op-ed by Kevin Doyle For Florida industries that rely on natural gas as a feedstock, the decline in price has been a welcome reprieve, helping agricultural producers and manufacturers and breathing new life into our state's fertilizer industry. For the benefits to these important industries alone, Floridians should be hailing the new energy renaissance. [...]

Petroleum News.  As completion of Tesoro’s rail terminal to receive Bakken crude at its Washington refinery draws near, there’s talk within the company of shipping the light, sweet oil to Tesoro’s Alaska refinery where the company pays substantially more for both similar oil from the Cook Inlet basin and lower grade oil from the North Slope. If Cook Inlet basin oil explorers are successful, contract negotiations for their new oil could be tricky if Tesoro, the region’s primary oil buyer, plays its Bakken card. TransCanada Corp. expands in Westborough, Bizjournals.com.  TransCanada Corp. said [...]