November 26, 2002
Talking Points
(Introduced by DNR Commissioner Pat Pourchot)
Alyeska Pipeline
Service Company
I am privileged to participate today
in the 30-year renewal of the trans Alaska pipeline and to acknowledge the
dedication, skill and creativity of thousands who have made this moment
possible.
The unique story of TAPS began
over 30 years ago when visionaries, men and women from academia, industry,
government and the construction trades working with Alaskans found a way to do
what many said was impossible.
It
is a story of quiet determination, enormous egos and intense debate – but at
the end of the day this mix of knowledge, skill and character came together to
create a pipeline system that has not only met but exceeded the extraordinary
performance standards envisioned so long ago.
Many in this room were personally
and professionally invested in those early days; many remain involved in the
oversight, operation and research that still captures the “can do” approach
that has defined TAPS from the beginning.
And all of us have been influenced by the pipeline's presence.
After serving as Alyeska’s
president and CEO for over two years I can personally attest to the dedication
and capabilities of our employees and contractors. TAPS has met operating standards, either internally driven or
required in state and federal law, that are demanded of no other pipeline. These men and women - and the system they
care for – have been tested, whether in response to a bullet hole or an
earthquake, or the day to day challenges of the pipeline’s passage through the
Alaskan environment. The people and the
system continue to meet the high expectations Alaskans and the nation require.
By signing this lease today, we
continue that commitment. We continue
the partnership with Alaskans and our regulators - who challenge and question
us in a collaboration that began over 30 years ago. Alaska is very fortunate to have the economic advantages brought
by the pipeline - but of greater intrinsic value in my view is the process that
has brought us together today. This process, the public’s expectations and the
highest of operating standards will serve us well for another 30 years.
Thank you for this opportunity to
represent the Pipeline and its hundreds of pipeline people.