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2009
LINKS: FERC Reports
to Congress, 1,
2,
3,
4,
5,
6,
7....;
USGS Arctic Gas Estimates;
MMS hearings:
RDC,
Our NGP,
AJOC,
DH,
ADN,
KTUU;
Enstar Bullet Line: Map and News Links;
ANGDA;
Alaska Energy Forum;
Prosperity Alaska
2008 LINKS:
Shell Alaska OCS Study;
Mackenzie Gas Project EIS;
Join the
Alaska Gas Pipeline Blog
Discussion;
Governor Sarah Palin's AGIA Links;
2007 ACES tax bill links;
Department of Revenue 2007 ACES
tax documents;
2007 ACES tax Presentations;
2007 ACES tax news;
Alaska Gas Pipeline Training and
Jobs;
Gas Pipeline and Economic
Development; Andrew Halcro;
Bjørn Lomborg;
FERC's Natural Gas Website Links
WASHINGTON:
Alaska Natural Gas Pipeline Act;
History of H.R. 4;
DOE Energy Bill Position, 6-02;
Daschle-Bingaman Energy Bill
(Alaska, Sec. 1236 & tax credit, Sec. 2503 &
H.R. 4 Conferees),
Tax Credit;
See amendments, "Energy
Policy Act of 2002";
"Alaska Natural Gas Pipeline Act
of 2001 (Draft)" &
Background Paper,
8-9-01;Alaska
Legislature Joint Committee position;
Governor's position;
Governor's 10-Point Plan;
Anadarko Analysis;
U.S. Senate Energy Committee
Testimony, 10-2-01 -
text version; U.S.
Senate Energy Committee Testimony, 9-14-00;
Report on the Alaska Natural Gas
Transportation Act of 1971, prepared by staff of the Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission, 1-18-01
ALASKA:
1-23-03,
Governor
Frank Murkowski's State of the State Speech;
2002 DRAFT Recommendations to 2003
Legislature;
'02 Alaska Legislation;
Alaska Highway Natural Gas
Pipeline Policy Council;
Joint
Legislative Gas Pipeline Committee; 9-01 Alaska Models:
Canadian Routes,
LNG,
GTL;
HR 4 Story;
Cook Inlet Supply-Demand Report:
AEDC;
Commonwealth North Investigation
&
Our Article;
Report: Backbone;
Legislature Contacts;
State Gas Pipeline Financing Study;
5-02 Alaska Producer Update;
Kenai: "Oil & Gas Industry Issues
and Activities Report, 11-02";
Alaska Oil & Gas Tax Structure;
2-27-02 Royalty Sale Background;
Alaska Gas Pipeline Office
opens, 7-01, and
closes, 5-02;
Betty Galbraith's
1997-1998 Chronology.
Our copy.
CANADA:
1-10-03, "Arctic Gas Pipeline
Construction Impacts On Northern Transp."-Transport Canada-PROLOG Canada
Inc.-The Van Horne Institute;Hill
Times Reports, 8-30-02;
9-30-02, Cons. Info. Requirements;
CBC Archives, Berger Commission;
GNWT Economic Impact Study,
5-13-02;
GNWT-Purvin & Gertz Study, 5-8-02;
Alberta-Alaska MOU 6-02;
Draft Pan- Northern Protocol for
Oil and Gas Development;
Yukon Government Economic Effects:
4-02 &
PPT;
Gas Pipeline Cooperation Plan
Draft &
Mackenzie Valley Environmental
Impact Review Board;
Mackenzie Valley Pipeline MOU
Draft, 6-01;
FirstEnergy Analysis: 10-19-01;
Integrated Delta Studies;
National Post on Mackenzie
Pipeline, 1-02;Northern
Pipeline Act;
Haida
Nation v. British Columbia;
Indian Claims Commission;
Skeena Cellulose decision --
aboriginal consultations required, 12-02;
Misc. Pipeline Studies '02
COMPANIES:
Alaska Gas Producers Pipeline Team
Newsletter, 7-27-01;
APG Newsletter: 5-02,
7-02
&
9-02;
ArctiGas NEB PIP Filing Background;
NRGPC Newsletter: Fall-02;
4-02 ArctiGas Reduces Field Work;
BP's Natural Gas Page;
Enbridge Perspective;
Foothills Perspective;
Williams Perspective;
YPC Perspective, 7-02
MEDIA
REFERENCE: Alaska Journal of
Commerce; Alaska Inc. Magazine; Anchorage Daily News; Canadian Broadcasting
Corporation; Fairbanks Daily News Miner, Juneau Empire; Northern News Services;
Oil & Gas Reporter; Petroleum News Alaska; Whitehorse Star, etc.
EXTENDED CONFERENCE NEWS:
Alaska
Support Industry Alliance,
Anchorage
Chamber of Commerce,
Canadian Institute,
Insight Information,
Inuvik Petroleum Shows,
International Association of Energy Economists,
Resource
Development Council for Alaska,
Ziff Energy Group
LEST WE FORGET!
| | Northern Gas Pipelines: Anchorage Chamber of Commerce Related Events
2002 Events
George Vakalis, 2002-03
Chairman, Anchorage
 Chamber
of Commerce (NGP Photo)
Eric Britten, 2001-02
Chairman
(NGP Photo)
12-17-02.
Yesterday, U.S. Senator Ted Stevens met with a crowded Fourth Avenue
Theater
assembly of Chamber members and told them what they needed to hear.
"I am grateful for the honor of serving you," he
began. "Following this reelection, I shall return to Washington as Senior
Senator, Senate President Pro Tempore and Chairman of the Appropriations
Committee." Alaskan audiences are never bored by Stevens' speeches, as he
focuses on topics of current interest from the viewpoint of a key, Washington
decision maker. Yesterday, his laser vision focused on gas pipeline, ANWR
and issues concerning all Americans. (Also, see
ADN article by Ben Spiess)
"Most of us would like to see the gas pipeline
constructed and ANWR opened," he said.
He reviewed historical justification for Alaska's positions on the issues. In
Territorial days, the Fairbanks Women's Garden Club had supported approval of
Public
Land Order 82, creating the Arctic National Wildlife Range. "The order
specifically allowed oil and gas development in such a way that the fish and
game would be protected," he said.
He recalled that the Alaska Native Claims Settlement
Act of 1971 (ANSCA) required in section 1 7(D)(2)
that
the Federal government identify lands that would have to be reserved
(preserved). He said Federal withdrawals were subsequently made in 1980
even though Alaska had not completed selection of its 103.5 million acres of
statehood withdrawals and the Alaska's Native corporations had not completed
their 40 million acres of selections. At the same time,
the 1980
legislation converted the Arctic National Wildlife 'Range' designation to the
more restrictive 'Refuge' designation, still leaving 1.5 million acres on
the Northern coast for further evaluation of oil and gas potential.
 Stevens
attributed much of today's opposition to economic development in Alaska to an
extreme environmental movement. That movement ignores environmental
progress and raises a significant amount of money based on Alaska issues.
He said most of the funds raised are used against Alaska. "Few people
realize that today we have cleaner air than 20 years ago," he said, "more trees
than 100 years ago and cleaner waters than 30 years ago." He said that in
1996 corporate America spent $8 billion for environmental restoration and
protection. He expressed disappointment in the New York Times
editorial policy, which formerly supported responsible ANWR development, and now
opposes it. "It's odd to see what 20 years can do to the position of a
great institution like the New York Times," he said.
He added that if President Bill Clinton in 1993 had
not vetoed Congressionally approved ANWR
legislation, the state would not be facing the current economic crisis.
(Photo: Accompanying Senator Stevens, George Lowe, Legislative Director)
Stevens emphasized the importance of gas pipeline
passage to the state and nation. "A gas pipeline will cost $20 billion to
build," he said, "will be longer than the Great Wall of China, require more
steel than can be produced by all North American steel mills and can employ over
400,000 people to build. I urge you," he said "to be one of those who help
us move forward..., who belie ve
that 'now is the time'".
Stevens closed by repeating a concept often used by
former Governor Wally Hickel (NGP Photo, w/Stevens), who originally
appointed him to the Senate. "Alaskans don't look into the future and see
what is impossible," he said, "but to define what is possible."
 During
a question and answer period, your author asked Stevens (Photo, after meeting):
"If it would not betray your strategy, what process do you envision in the new
Congress for Alaska gas pipeline and ANWR issues?" Stevens quickly
responded, "It does betray our strategy and I'm not going to discuss it at this
time." Stevens smiled and the audience applauded. He then
elaborated, stating that, "It's the toughest strategy we've been called upon to
employ since statehood."
Chairman George Vakalis asked Stevens other
questions requested by the audience:
-
On leading democrat candidates for President.
"Senator
John Kerry is probably our worst enemy regarding gas pipeline and
ANWR issues."
-
In Iraq. "The solution is for the world to
come to know how evil the regime is and for the world to be united in seeking a
change. I think the U.N. is now awakened. Sixteen times, Iraq has
broken UN resolutions. Sadam Hussain is firing on our pilots on
almost a daily basis. I do not think we will have war; but, I think we
must be willing to go to the brink of war to convince him."
-
On the economy. "If we can be spared another
9-11, I believe we can begin experiencing a recovering economy next year based
on true corporate values and efficiency."
-
On relationship with Governor Frank Murkowski.
"Frank, Don Young and I share a number of visions. Our hope is to
modernize transportation in our state (i.e. Southcentral Alaska 'beltway' and
access from Anchorage across Knik and Turnagain Arms)."
9-23-02.
BALLOT INITIATIVE NO. 3.
Today, Chairman George Vakalis, moderated presentations
both for and against Ballot
Initiative No. 3, first introducing Northern Gas Pipelines’ Dave Harbour
to provide an objective briefing on the initiative itself. (Note: in the
near future, we shall be providing readers with an editorial opinion on this
issue. -dh) Scott Heyworth spoke in favor of the initiative and
Larry Houle opposed the initiative. Readers may find
Harbour’s briefing
outline here, covering purpose, organization and mission of the “Alaska
Natural Gas Development Authority”, which the initiative would create.
As
organizer of the citizens’ initiative responsible for the ballot measure,
Scott Heyw orth
(NGP Photo) addressed the Chamber first. He reminded the audience that more
than 40,000 citizens signed the initiative, advocating an LNG-pipeline project,
“to keep the jobs and revenues within Alaska and within America. In addition,
the potential for value added processing of Alaskan gas into petrochemicals
should also be within Alaska, not in Canada or Chicago,” he said. Heyworth said
North Slope gas has been stranded for about three decades and, “…the oil
companies seem no closer to building a gasline than ever. They all seem to have
different worldwide agendas and can’t seem to work together to develop Alaska’s
North Slope gas. Exxon wants to go Over-the Top”, he said. “Conoco-Phillips
wants the Highway route. BP doesn’t even want to build it at all because it is
too costly. “ Addressing current incentive legislation in Congress, benefiting
the Alaska Highway Pipeline Project, Heyworth said, “The All-Alaska project asks
for no incentives, no loan guarantees, and no Federal handouts.”
Obtain the complete text
of Heyworth’s remarks here.
Larry Houle,
 General
Manager of the Alaska Support Industry Alliance (NGP Photo), began by asking
members, “why would the State’s largest and only trade association of oil and
gas workers be opposed to this Initiative?” In answer, Houle said his
organization, “… wants a gas pipeline and that is the basis for our opposition
to this Initiative. This Act cannot do what it Sponsors suggests; that is to
finance, construct and maintain an economically viable state-owned pipeline from
the North Slope to tidewater. In fact, we believe this ‘single-project
Initiative’ if passed will be a deterrent, perhaps the single biggest obstacle
to getting Alaska’s North Slope natural gas to market.” Houle then cited
several reasons supporting his position: “1) The Initiative, specific to an LNG
project to Prince William Sound, has already been determined to be non-economic
and, 2) The Alaska Natural Gas Development Authority, a public corporation, is
not the proper role for government…. He said an Alaska Department of Revenue
analysis, “…has determined that…Alaska LNG cannot compete in either the Asian or
California market.”
Obtain the complete text of Houle’s remarks here.
9-17-02.
Ye sterday,
Chamber Chairman George Vakalis introduced this week's keynote
 speaker,
saying it was Governor Tony Knowles' (NGP Photo) farewell presentation to
the Anchorage Chamber after 8 years in office. While Knowles is deeply
involved in final Congressional activity affecting the outcome of gas pipeline
and ANWR policies, he is also rushing to complete longer term building and
highway plans with assistance from Transportation and Public Facilities
Commissioner Joe Perkins and transition plans for a new administration.
The author rose
 with
Susan Knowles (NGP Photo-above), Special Assistant Mike Abbott (NG P
Photo-l), AHFC Executive Director Dan Fauske (NGP Photo-r), Gas Pipeline
Advisor Ken Freeman and other Chamber members giving Knowles a standing
ovation for his service, following a presentation outlining his accomplishments.
While roads, schools, subsistence, welfare reform and other similar issues
interested the audience, for Northern Gas Pipeline readers the salient
points were:
-
On the
state's fiscal crisis,
Knowles observed, "Chamber
members have been champions in their advocacy of a long-term fiscal plan that is
necessary to guarantee the brightest future for Alaska."
In a speech balancing accomplishments with
unrealized goals, Knowles said, "We’re on the verge of emptying our budget
reserve savings account with no plan to balance the cost of services Alaskans
need with available revenues. We
heard a warning shot a couple weeks ago when the national bond rating agency
- Moody’s - adjusted Alaska’s financial outlook.
It was an interesting report,
because Moody’s gave Alaska’s economy high marks: 14 straight years of economic
growth, record low unemployment and the nation’s 4th fastest growth
in personal income. Moody’s outlook means wariness on the part of investors. We
need a fiscal plan now...."
-
On gas pipelines. "We
all know there is no project that will bring more jobs to America and Alaska -
from steel manufacturing, transportation, finance, engineering and construction
- than the Alaska Highway Natural Gas Pipeline. To achieve Alaskans’ long-held
dream of getting our huge reserves of natural gas to market, I have urged and
prodded industry, spearheaded a diplomatic initiative with Canada and have
gotten bipartisan support in Congress for this vital national interest project."
He said that moving Alaskan gas to market requires a national effort, that the
state must move aggressively in three areas:
-
"First, Alaskans must continue working with the producing owners of the gas
and with North America’s leading pipeline companies. We all know the
project must be commercially viable. Alaska needs to be prepared to offer
the incentives and fiscal stability necessary as industry commits to hiring
Alaskans, using Alaska businesses, giving Alaskans access to gas and
embracing the motto: Our way is the highway!
-
"Second, we will continue to work with project proponents to streamline the
regulatory and permitting processes and acquire the necessary rights-of-way.
Third, it is time for Congress to pass federal legislation that advances the
Alaska Highway natural gas pipeline project and meets the nation’s and
Alaska’s interests.
-
"Last week, the House-Senate Conference Committee on the energy bill acted
on some provisions, but has yet to consider incentives to help make the
project economically viable. Through John Katz and our Washington, D.C.,
operation, we will keep up the full court press for a natural gas project
this year. There is no other project on the horizon th at
can bring the same level of benefit for Alaska and America."
Readers may
download Knowles'
complete speech, here.
ADN report, by Doug O'Hara.
Following the meeting, the Author met with
Transportation and Public Facilities Commissioner, Joe Perkins (NGP
Photo, right). Asked for his opinion of a 'Transportation Corridor'
which could host a gas pipeline, a railroad, a highway, fiber optics and
other communications, Perkins said the concept "has merit", is "...not a theory"
and mentioned the
Trans
Texas Corridor which we offer as a link, here. -dh
9-10-02 Updates: 01:30 ET.
Steve Marshall (NGP Photo, 9-9-02), president of BP
Exploratio n Alaska, Inc. addressed the
Anchorage Chamber yesterday. Saying his
message mirrored a North Sea message BP Treasurer,
Tony
Hayward, delivered in June to the International Association of Energy
Economists, Marshall pinpointed some of Alaska's key challenges: the need for
regulatory and fiscal certainty and support for maximizing production from
mature fields. (Note: BP and other gas producers have consistently
emphasized fiscal certainty as a pre-condition for construction of an Alaska gas
pipeline. He said the company was offering public officials in Alaska
and Canada specific proposals for obtaining such certainty. -dh) He
dismissed a myth that BP was diminishing activity in Alaska, saying this year's
capital budget would hit $700 million. "The 7 billion barrels of oil
and gas resources in BP’s Alaskan portfolio – about a third of it proven and the
rest of it still uncommercial – are the largest single source of
already-discovered oil and gas in our entire global portfolio," Marshall said.
"We have high hopes for future satellite and viscous oil development on the
North Slope. We’re investing hundreds of millions of dollars annually to
transform that belief into new barrels, and with a stable tax climate, we’ll
continue to invest aggressively in it." He said the company would continue
to increase
   community
support activity and support local procurement programs. The $5 million
Alaska contributions budget will be the company's second highest.
Readers are welcome to download a copy of the presentation here. -dh
Present at the meeting were Cordova Mayor Margie Johnson, Cheryl and
Harold Heinze, the Sheraton Anchorage's
Tanguy Libbrecht (NGP photos).
7-22-02:
Yes terday, Michael Smith (NGP Photo),
Assistant Secretary for Fossil Energy for the U.S.
Department
of Energy spoke to the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce: "Alaska – An
Essential Component in America’s Energy Plans". Governor Tony Knowles
introduced Smith. The two had become acquainted during the time they served with the
Interstate Oil & Gas Compact Commission.
"As America's attention is focused on energy," Knowles said, "we are fortunate
to have with us a professional who knows Alaska and who advises the Secretary of
Energy." Smith said, "The best energy policy is one that is diverse,
dependable, technologically-advanced and environmentally sound. The
President’s charge to the Department of Energy is to promote energy
conservation, repair and modernize our energy infrastructure, and increase our
energy supplies in ways that protect and improve the environment." Smith's
energy demand projections were consistent with many recent industry projections.
"Estimates indicate that over the next 20 years, U.S. oil consumption will
increase by 33 percent, natural gas c onsumption
by well over 50 percent, and demand for electricity will be 45 percent," he
said. "The natural gas sector is a great case in point. Currently, our nation
consumes 23 TCF of gas per year. By 2010, we will need 30 TCF for our growing
and expanding economy." Smith said that Alaska is an important key to a
major charge of his office: increased domestic energy production. "You are
at the top of our producing oil states and your natural gas reserves are
immense. Much of the research in oil and gas technology conducted by my office
is particularly applicable to Alaska as our nation meets the challenge to use
technology to maintain and enhance the diversity of our supplies." Smith
energized his Alaskan audience while not compromising his Administration's
natural gas position which opposes governmental route mandates and financial
incentives. During an extended question and answer period he made his
support for ANWR clear. "As your governor has said before, it's not a
question of if ANWR is developed, but when." The
Administration, he said, is working hard to see an ANWR provision included in
the final energy bill. Your author asked
about the current status
of Congressional / Administration negotiations on gas pipeline financial
provisions. "That is a minute to minute happening right now and I can only
hope participants produce a bill the President can sign," he said. Someone
asked if he would recommend government support for an ANS gas GTL project should
parties fail to develop a feasible pipeline project. "There are 1,600,000
TCF of stranded gas reserves around the world." Smith added without specifically
addressing the question, that new technology was making remote reserves more and
more economically feasible and marketable. Knowles presented Smith with a
Byron Birdsall print, "The Dawn of a New Direction", which he said
represented Alaska's confidence in Smith's leadership of U.S. fossil energy
policy. (Photo above: Jack Roderick-l & Larry Dineen-r enjoy
the well attended luncheon.)
Our readers may
download Secretary Smith's speech here.
7-15-02:
Alaska Oil and Gas Association’s (AOGA) Kevin Meyers
of Phillips Alaska, Inc., Steve
 Marshall (NGP Photo) of BP Exploration
(Alaska) Inc.,
David Wight of Alyeska Pipeline Service Company, Charles Pierce of
UNOCAL Alaska, Jack Williams Jr. of ExxonMobil Production Company,
Jeff Rose of EnCana Corporation and Ron Noel of Tesoro Alaska Company
provided AOGA's annual presentation to the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce.
“A Transition Report on Alaska’s Oil and Gas Industry to
the next Administration and the 23rd
Alaska Legislature,” was this year’s topic. Below are some news summaries.
(NGP Photo-left: Wight, Chamber Chairman Eric Britten, Pierce and
Williams.)
Below: various event snapshots reflecting--among
other things--interest by elected
officials/candidates in the program's theme.
    
   
Anchorage Daily News, By Wesley Loy-A
cavalcade of oil industry executives on Monda y
urged the incoming governor and Legislature to erase the looming threat of
higher taxes or royalties on oil and gas produced in the state.
... Charles Pierce (NGP Photo) vice president of Unocal
Corp., suggested the new governor, to be elected in November, use his or her
veto power to freeze oil tax and royalties for four years. That would make oil
industry executives feel more secure about investing big dollars on Alaska
projects, he said. ... The overall theme
was an old one in Alaska. A large share of the state budget comes from taxes and
royalties on oil and gas pumped from state lands. But in recent years, the gap
between spending and available money has widened. And although oil production
from the North Slope today is holding steady at about 1 million barrels a day,
that is only half of what production once was. This year, lawmakers in Juneau
weighed painful new income, sales and other taxes on Alaskans to close an
expected budget gap of nearly $1 billion. Rumbling in the background was the
possibility of jacking up taxes on oil. ...
Jack Williams, Alaska production manager for Exxon
Mobil, also said the oil industry is concerned about regulatory delays, such as
the time and effort needed to get permits for new projects.
He laid out plans for possibly developing the Point Thomson oil and gas
field on the North Slope.... "I don't
want to sound alarmist, but delays and uncertainty could very well kill this
project," Williams said.
Alaska Oil
& Gas Reporter, July 15 - Representatives of Alaska's oil industry, from EnCana
Corp. -the new kid on the block to the
state's biggest players - ExxonMobil Production Co. and Phillips Alaska Inc.-
urged the next governor and Legislature Monday to refrain from considering oil
and gas companies as sources of new taxes. Alaska will elect a new governor and
legislature in November. ..."Every year there's a run on the industry for new
taxes," said Charles Pierce, vice president of UNOCAL Alaska. "The new
governor should commit to freeze oil and gas taxes for the next four years. It
would provide the foundation for me to sell more Alaska projects to my board of
directors." ...As we struggle with the fiscal gap, it will be very tempting to
come after the oil and gas industry with more taxation," said Kevin Meyers
executive vice president of Phillips Alas ka.
"I can't stress enough how big a mistake that would be." ... To succeed in
Alaska, Jeff Rose (NGP Photo-r), senior vice president, offshore and new
ventures exploration, for EnCana, said his company needs a stable fiscal regime,
a predictable and reasonable regulatory process and access to land for
exploration. Jack Williams Jr., Alaska production manager for
ExxonMobil, said expeditious permitting "is absolutely critical"
to a 75,000-barrel-per-day gas cycling project planned for the Point Thomson
Unit, which is estimated to contain 8 trillion cubic feet of natural gas.
Operator ExxonMobil hopes to recover 400 million barrels of oil condensates at
Point Thomson, sell
 the
liquid hydrocarbons and re-inject the lean gas back into the reservoir. ... Even
Steve Marshall (NGP Photo), president of BP Exploration (Alaska) Inc.,
raised the specters of fiscal and regulatory uncertainty in announcing a
cost-reduction breakthrough at the giant Prudhoe Bay field where BP is the
operator. ... "Prudhoe Bay's infrastructure will be vital for the next 20-30
years, but it must be competitive," Marshall said. "That means reducing costs
and increasing efficiency." (Check out the
Industry Directory,
a great new service at the
Alaska Oil & Gas Reporter!)
EVENT PHOTOS: COMING....
7-18-02,
Anchorage
Daily News, AP-The president of Phillips Alaska Inc. said
the company is prepared to begin the permitting process for a North Slope
natural gas line if an energy bill passes Congress with two critical
components. Kevin Meyers
(NGP Photo), president of Phillips Alaska Inc., made the comments Tuesday at a
luncheon sponsored by the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce and the Alaska Oil and
Gas Association. That bill, which is under consideration by a joint committee of
the Senate and the House, contains "certainty and expediency" for the regulatory
and permitting process, Meyers said.
The bill also contains a natural gas price floor, which would mitigate the
"substantial risk for fluctuations in future natural gas prices and potential
cost overruns," he said. Sen.
Frank Murkowski, persuaded the Senate to put the tax credit in its
version of the energy bill. The bill says gas producers from northern Alaska
should get a tax credit when gas prices fall below $3.25 per million British
thermal units at a distribution hub in Alberta, Canada.
When asked if Phillips was prepared to move forward with permitting the
southern route without the participation of the other two North Slope gas
owners, BP and Exxon Mobil, Phillips Alaska spokeswoman Dawn Patience
told Petroleum News Alaska that Phillips was not prepared to comment on that at
this time. In addition to the price
floor, the bill would prohibit construction of a pipeline along the northern
route, through Canada. Exxon Mobil
spokesman Bob Davis said passage of a federal energy bill would
not make a gas line from the North Slope economic. Davis said Exxon Mobil also
wants flexibility in the choice of a route and is opposed to a gas price floor.
Dave Van Tuyl of BP, commercial adviser in the Alaska
Gas Group, said it would take more than federal legislation to get the company
to move forward with the project.
"While the proposed U.S. federal enabling legislation is one vital requirement,
there are still three other elements required to justify moving forward with the
project. And those other elements include further clarity and efficiency of the
Canadian regulatory process, assurance of fiscal certainty here in Alaska, and,
of course, confirmation that the project itself is commercially viable," Van
Tuyl told Petroleum News Alaska.
Whether Phillips will get the legislation it favors remains to be seen.
Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham has said the Bush
administration objects to the price floor. He also criticized language in the
bill that prohibits a northern route
pipeline.
6-28-02. Lord John
Browne (RDC Photo) Group Chief Executive, BP, addressed a large combined
audience of the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce, Alliance and Resource Development
Council for Alaska on a variety of oil and gas policy issues, including those
related to an Alaska gas pipeline.
See report and photo gallery and obtain speech download here.
1-8: Anchorage Chamber- Yesterday, Alaska Senate President Rick Halford and House Speaker Brian Porter told a crowded audience at the 4th Avenue theatre that while much has been done to repair Alaska's budget woes , more must be done. Porter began by recounting the Legislature's recent accomplishments, including educational, welfare and tort reform, and engaging the State in a process of 'results based budgeting'. Before introducing Halford, the Speaker took a poll of audience interest in contributing to the deficit with increased taxes on citizens and companies. There was broad support for such action. Halford passed out a 'fiscal gap' chart and said, "...we are hundreds and hundreds of millions in the hole (Obtain here). The first thing to do when you're in that big a hole is stop digging." Halford said the State's problems are not as big as they look and would have been a lot bigger if the Legislature had not taken the steps toward a more efficient government in recent years. He said that the Legislature should look "department by department" for reductions, consider staff freezes and not approve the Governor's current request
 for a $200 million spending increase. He said the biggest challenge was a huge "disconnect" with citizens. "I don't belie ve they believe we have cut spending," he said. "And, I don't believe they believe we have a fiscal crisis." He reminded the audience that for 15 years the State has been within three years of fiscal crisis, but that the Legislature's spending restraint, Federal dollars and a growing budget reserve fund helped preserve continued spending. "One good step..." he said, would be to let the people vote on a workable constitutional limit on government spending. He was referring to legislation still pending from the last session which would authorize that vote and an earlier spending limit approved 20 years ago with such broad definitions that it realistically provides no limitation at all. He said that on top of natural resources issues presently is that of the gas line and that, "we need to continue supporting efforts to approve a gas pipeline." He co ncluded that the fiscal situation is, "not as bad as our fears or as good as our hopes. We have become a little spoiled and we must deal with that." Both speakers agreed that their seemed to be sufficient sentiment in the Legislature this session for continuing public funding for Arctic Power. Chamber president, Eric Britten (Photo, with Speaker Porter-center-and Frank Dillon of Arctic Power-right) concluded the budget
presentation, saying, "However you choose to eat the elephant, good luck!" (ADN Story, by Tim Pryor-When asked in an informal poll, an apparent majority of diners at a Chamber of Commerce luncheon raised their hands in support of raising taxes and shrinking Permanent Fund dividends.)
2001 Events
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