Commentary on Governor Parnell’s speech, yesterday:  One of the joys of this gas pipeline webpage and Lower 48 consulting work, is observing informative speeches.  I say, ‘informative’, because many convey information but few are actually so well prepared and presented and TIMELY that one looses track of time. This one was like an aesthetic experience (though political speeches are less likely to command such suspension of disbelief more commonly associated with nature, concert and spy novel experiences.)  Yesterday’s message from Alaska’s new Governor, Sean Parnell (NGP Photo, 9-3-09), was such a message, though.  More coming….

Reference: the Resource Development Council Video, the actual text of the speech, courtesy of the Governor’s office, and a copy of Governor Parnell’s letter to Interior Secretary Ken Salazar.

Related stories: Juneau Empire by Mary Pemberton. KTUU by Rhonda McBride.  ADN by Sean Cockerham.  Gov. Sean Parnell said Thursday he’s not going to negotiate with the oil companies over how much the state taxes natural gas until they unite behind a gas pipeline project and can prove they need the help in order for construction to start.    …  Sitka Republican Sen. Bert Stedman, who has a lot of say on gasline issues as co-chair of the Senate Finance Committee, said Parnell is wrong on the viability of the TransCanada project. He said he doesn’t see how it will come together.  …  Conoco spokeswoman Natalie Lowman said her company and the other producers will be asked to make billions of dollars in commitments for the project. "The terms that affect those producers will remain the critical issues in moving this massive project forward…."