Journal of Commerce Q&A for Governor Sean Parnell (NGP Photo):  1. Oil and gas companies say the Alaska production tax rate is too high, and while they acknowledge exploration incentives and investment tax credits provide some help, they say it is not enough. Would you consider revising the over tax rate (i.e. The progressivity formula in the tax.)? If so, how would you do it? If not, why not?

We need to create a more competitive investment climate to fill TAPS (the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System), get Alaska’s gas to market, and to create more jobs for Alaskans. We are already seeing results from our tax credits on gas in the Cook Inlet. And I have proposed a two-part plan to revise ACES by capping progressivity at higher prices, and by giving tax credits for technically challenged fields.

Calgary Herald by Shaun Polczer.  The shale gas boom has the potential to transform the North American energy market in a way that increases security of energy supplies, reduces greenhouse gases and lowers costs for consumers, a leading official from the U.S. Department of Energy said in Calgary Tuesday. Christopher Smith, the DOE’S assistant deputy secretary of oil and gas, said bountiful shale gas reserves in Canada and the U.S. could also reduce his country’s dependence on imported oil while providing a clean burning automotive fuel.

Washington Examiner by Mark Tapscott.  James Cameron, filmmaker and prominent Global Warming activist, recently told The Los Angeles Times that we have to accept the fact that we must live with less in order to save the environment. Easy for him to say, but funny, I don’t recall seeing For Sale Notices on his three houses in Malibu, JetRanger helicopter, three Harleys, Corvette, Ducati, Ford GT, yacht, submarine fleet, lavish mountain resort, fleet of dirt bikes….