Alaska Taxes

5-22-13 Notes From the Road (Quito)

22 May 2013 5:22am

Support Tax Reform Law!
 
From our friends at the Resource Development Council for Alaska (RDC).
 
"...there is currently a signature gathering referendum effort taking place to repeal SB21, the oil tax reform bill signed in to law by Governor Parnell.
 
In an effort to give the thoroughly vetted new tax structure time to work, the Alaska Support Industry Alliance is using its independent expenditure group, "We Are Alaska," to run a campaign educating Alaskans on what SB21 has accomplished and explaining why signing the referendum could be extremely harmful for the future of Alaska. 
 
RDC and other business associations across the state support the new tax regime, the More Alaska Production Act (MAP Act), and have a high level of confidence that it will result in new investment, production, jobs, and revenues to fund education and a wide range of public services.
 
To learn more, visit the We Are Alaska website and be sure to like them on Facebook, as well as Twitter. 
Take action now to prevent the repeal of Alaska Senate Bill 21--say our friends at Consumer Energy Alliance. 

Alaska's contribution to the nation's energy supply has been in decline since the 1980's.  
 
While the resource is there to stem the decline, and perhaps even reverse the trend, Alaska's investment climate has been unfriendly to attract the major investment dollars needed to do so.  
 
After extensive review, analysis, and research, Governor Sean Parnell and the Alaska Legislature passed SB 21 to reform our tax system to make it more competitive. It will help will help invigorate Alaska's energy production and bring jobs and investment to our state. 

Don't let a small minority take us two steps back when it comes to Alaskan jobs and competitiveness. Show your support for Senate Bill 21 and the Alaskan economy.  

Sign the petition now to oppose the repeal of SB 21! 

The Federal Government Has Broken Its Word Many Times As It Has Sapped Sovereignty From America's States

Rober Barrus, Utah, IOGCC, Energy Producing States Coalition, Photo by Dave HarbourEarlier this week at an IOGCC (Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission) meeting in Alabama, Utah Representative Roger Barrus (NGP Photo coming) provided the nation's oil and gas conservation commissioners with a history lesson.  

Both before and after the constitution was enacted, Barrus said, the founders made it clear that the states were to manage state resources.

He noted that (More coming....)

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4-22-13 - Notes From The Shangri-La In Amazing Shanghai!

22 April 2013 5:12pm

Today's dispatch comes via Shangri-La Hotel in Shanghai, China.  -dh
Pedro van Meurs, oil and gas taxes, fiscal regimes, Alaska, Photo by Dave HarbourFrom NGP Reader, Pedro van Meurs (NGP Photo).  This is a reminder that my well known course, World Fiscal Systems for Oil and Gas, is scheduled to take place in Rio de Janeiro during the week June 3 – 7, 2013. 

The course will include the spectacular results of my survey World Rating of Oil and Gas Terms, 2011-2012, which covers 156 countries in the world. Also there will be some special emphasis on Brazil.

I would be grateful if you could recommend participants for this course.

The course is computer interactive. Please click here for the course program and other course information.  If you have trouble with the link, please copy and paste the following URL: http://www.petrocash.com/Common/courses/default.aspx

If you need any further information please contact us.

Best regards,
Pedro van Meurs
President, Van Meurs Corporation
PO Box CR-56766 # 1261

Today's Energy Links From The Office of the Federal Coordinator:

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4-19-13 Shooting Oneself In the Foot

19 April 2013 7:09am

CBC News.  China's largest bank will be helphttp://www.northerngaspipelines.com/sites/all/modules/fckeditor/fckedito...); background-position: 0px -528px;" alt="" />ing to finance the proposed Kitimat refinery, which would process oil from the Alberta oilsands in B.C., instead of the raw bitumen being shipped overseas.  B.C. media mogul David Black said he has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) for the proposed refinery that is estimated to cost $25 billion.

Shooting Oneself In the Foot

Commentary by Dave Harbour

Certain left leaning Alaskans are intent on shooting Alaska's economy in the foot.  

They are promoting a voters' referendum that would repeal the oil tax reform recently enacted.  Just as the Legislature and Governor acted to improve the investment climate through oil tax reform, these people are acting to maintain the uncertainty of the investment climate--adversly affecting all Alaskans, particularly the future of the coming generations.  

Readers can bet that this group will be composed of an odd assembly of socialists, environmental extremists, publicity seekers and ex-public officials who see the oil industry as enemies and not the strong supporters of Alaska's way of life.  

One can envision investors gathered around a breakfast or boardroom table in coming days, concluding that Alaska is still too uncertain and risky  to merit a major new financial commitment.  

So, what should Alaskans do now?  Do not sign the anti oil petition.  Those who do sign it will be telling investors: "Stay out; we can do just fine without your money and commitment!"

Meanwhile, Alaska's economic lifeline, the Trans Alaska Pipeline, continues its steady throughput decline from 1/4 capacity toward zero.   Only a change in Alaska's investment climate can produce a greater flow of investment.   Repealing tax reform will drive a stake through the heart of investor confidence, perhaps for a very long time.    (References: Fairbanks News Miner, SB 21 and the Petition to repeal it.)  -dh

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4-18-13 COP To Increase Production

18 April 2013 8:27am

Fairbanks News Miner/AP.  Just days after the Alaska Legislature lowered taxes on the oil industry, ConocoPhillips announced plans to boost investment on North Slope fields.  ConocoPhillips is planning to bring an additional rig to the Kuparuk field this spring and working with co-owners to fund a new drill site on the Kuparuk River field, the company said in a Wednesday announcement.

Ron Wyden, US Senator, confirmation of Dr Ernest Moniz, energy committee, oregon, Photo by Dave HarbourAccording to Energy & Natural Resources communications staff, Keith Chu,  Energy and Natural Resources Committee Chairman Ron Wyden (NGP Photo) today announced that the committee voted to favorably report the nomination of Dr. Ernest Moniz to serve as Secretary of Energy.  (You likely read it here first.)
 
“Dr. Moniz could become the first Secretary of Energy who, instead of having to confront energy shortages and scarcity, instead would oversee an era of abundant carbon-reducing natural gas and dramatic growth of renewable energy technologies,” Wyden said.
 
“From my experience working with Dr. Moniz, I believe he is more than up to the challenges that our country is going to face in this historic transition for our energy sector.”
 
The committee approved the nomination by a vote of 21 to 1. The nomination now goes to the full Senate for its consideration. 

Today's Consumer Energy Alliance Energy News:

 

Forbes: Stubbed Toe? Blame Global Warming...or Fracking - On his blog at The American Interest, policy expert Walter Russell Mead posted a piece on April 14 titled “Stubbed Toe?  Blame Global Warming”.  In his piece he correctly points out that, whatever one personally believes about theories of anthropogenic “global warming”, the credibility of the movement behind those theories suffers greatly due to the actions of climate alarmists who regularly knee-jerk to attribute every severe weather event that takes place, and all manner of other, unrelated things, to global warming.
 
Bloomberg: Chevron Defies California On Carbon Emissions  -   Both Chevron and ExxonMobil help finance the Houston-based Consumer Energy Alliance, which runs ad and Web campaigns warning low-carbon mandates could cost hundreds of thousands of jobs. After the alliance lobbied in New Hampshire last year, lawmakers passed a law prohibiting the state from participating in any low-carbon fuel program without legislative approval.
 
Associated Press: Neb. Opposition Muted Ahead of Keystone XL Hearing - Supporters and opponents are expected to pack the State Department's only hearing before Secretary John Kerry recommends to President Barack Obama whether to build the $7.6 billion Canada-to-Texas line. A recommendation by the department, which has jurisdiction because the pipeline would cross a U.S. border, is not expected until summer. A poll last year by the Omaha World-Herald showed Nebraskans support the pipeline by more than a 2-to-1 ratio, and the state's governor and congressional delegation — all Republicans — have either backed the plan or relaxed their opposition.
 
Financial Times: US shale revolution backs bull case - The principal reason for their bullishness on the outlook for the US economy is the surge in oil and gas production from so-called “shale” deposits, which has in turn driven a sharp fall in US prices of both commodities relative to the rest of the world. US oil production rose to a 20-year high of 7m barrels a day in the final months of last year. US oil production rose to a 20-year high of 7m barrels a day in the final months of last year, while the country’s natural gas production has risen 20 percent in five years to a record high, according to the Department of Energy. The increase in output has led some observers to predict an imminent age of energy independence for the US.
 
Bloomberg (Op-ed by Michael Levi): More U.S. Oil Probably Won’t Destroy the Climate - No single action, even a big one, will make the difference when it comes to dangerous climate change. And the right U.S. actions can help build international support for cooperative efforts. Yet U.S. restraint is unlikely to influence other big oil-producing countries. Most of the biggest ones -- including Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Russia, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates -- depend on oil production for their survival. They can’t slash their production without risk to their economies.
 
POLITICO Pro: Ex-spill commission: Congress is failing - Three years after the BP oil spill ravaged the Gulf Coast, Congress has failed to take action to prevent another disaster, former members of President Barack Obama’s oil spill commission said Wednesday. “Three years have passed since the explosion on the Deepwater Horizon killed 11 workers and Congress has yet to pass one piece of legislation to make drilling safer,” former Florida Sen. Bob Graham, a former co-chairman of the commission, told reporters. The group gave much higher marks to the Obama administration and the oil industry, saying they have made huge strides to improve offshore drilling safety. But it cautioned that risks will continue to be a problem, especially as drilling moves into “harsher, less familiar conditions” like the Arctic.
 
Reuters: North Dakota crude output hits new high in February - Crude oil production in North Dakota, the No. 2 U.S. oil-producing state, hit an all-time high in February but will really accelerate in May after bad weather and road restrictions end, the state's Department of Mineral Resources said on Tuesday. The recent oil boom from the exploitation of the huge Bakken formation that straddles the U.S.-Canadian border now has North Dakota forecasting production of 850,000 barrels per day (bpd) by early 2014.
 
Houston Chronicle: Energy Department won’t be rushed on export decision - The Department of Energy official in charge of deciding whether to allow exports of liquefied natural gas gave no indication Tuesday of how the department will rule, or even when a decision may be made. Christopher Smith, acting assistant secretary for fossil energy, was among the opening speakers at the 17th International Conference and Exhibition on Liquefied Natural Gas, which drew around 5,000 people to Houston’s George R. Brown Convention Center.
 
Wall Street Journal: A Fishermen's Ball Before Earth Day - Mark Ruffalo stars in big-budget action movies like "The Avengers," but he's also developed a second career as an activist opposed to fracking. The actor was honored Tuesday evening at the Fishermen's Ball hosted by Riverkeeper, a nonprofit watchdog organization that advocates for protecting the Hudson River and its tributaries, held at Pier 60. The event, held on a balmy, overcast evening at a space that showed off the river attendees were aiming to protect, raised over $1 million for the organization. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the organization's attorney, attended, along with Yoko Ono, designer Nicole Miller and actress Cheryl Hines. Lyle Lovett performed.

 

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4-16-13 Is Congress Fiddling While Its Authority Is Being Stolen?

16 April 2013 8:22am

 Is Congress Fiddling As Obama Usurps Its Authority?

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the Subcommittee on Public Lands and Environmental Regulation held a legislative hearing on nine bills to prevent the President from unilaterally designating National Monuments under the century-old Antiquities Act and to ensure greater public participation in the process. 
Commentary by
 
Dave Harbour
 
An Obama Executive Order created a new government bureaucracy that, like a leech, is siphoning strength from other federal agencies--without Congressional authority.
 
Here Are Some Useful National Ocean Policy Coalition Quick Links.  The NOPC seeks to better educate Americans about the impact of such federal overreach.
A citizens' watchdog group, the Ocean Policy Coalition, reported today that the National Ocean Council has just released the National Ocean Policy Final Implementation Plan, which is accessible here.
 
NOPC provides an Appendix to the plan here.  The White House Council On Environmental Quality -- orchestrator of the Executive Order -- also issued this press release.

Since the President first created this entity by Executive Order -- without Congressional enabling or budget legislation -- we have feared for the result.  America probably has the most tightly regulated water and air quality, commercial fishing, oil and gas, manufacturing, agriculture, transportation, etc. society in the world.  Yet, with Marine Spatial Planning -- as proposed by this plan -- and the effective zoning of the oceans, America is about to place an additional matrix of control around economic wealth producers...and all without Congressional consent.  

We believe the Members of Congress fiddle while their branch of government and their authority are being ignored, disrespected and dismantled by an overreaching federal administration.

Case in point (among many): The President established the National Ocean Policy, by Executive Order on July 19, 2010.  

This order created a National Ocean Council consisting of 27 Federal agencies and departments.  It required those agencies to perform new tasks with money the Congress had budgeted for other purposes.  It provided a mandate -- without Congressional support -- for agencies to divert Congressionally authorized personnel and focus to an unplanned, unauthorized program of environmental activism.

The Council developed its so-called Implementation Plan over the past two years but was planning to execute the plan a year ago until the reelection effort intervened.

 White House bureaucrats have now succeeded in compelling massive contributions of time, personnel and treasury from countless national, regional, and local stakeholders representing all marine sectors; tribal, State, and local governments; the private sector, scientists, and the public.     -dh
 
To interior states' citizens who believe that this tightening noose of economic control is restricted only to ocean areas, note:
 
1.  America's coasts are among the longest and most productive of any nation--affecting the health of the whole nation.
 
2.  Alaska hosts about 3/4 of the entire U.S. coastline, including prospective, Arctic OCS areas.  As Russia and Canada seek to delineate and control their own Arctic jurisdiction, America creates duplicative,  new environmental rules as Congress fiddles.
 
3.  The planners also seek control over watersheds that feed the oceans and Great Lakes, thus potentially affecting almost every American enterprise and lifestyle and freedom ... one way or another.
 
Alaska just completed a legislative session during which gas pipeline and oil tax reform could lead to greater, responsible economic activity.  Federal overreach, such as that reflected by the President's National Ocean Council, could completely negate any steps forward the free enterprise segments of the economy hope to contribute to economic strength, job creation or national defense.
 
We fear for the future of our constitutional form of government as we continue to witness the Administration's, as yet unbridled, exercise of overreaching authority.
 
Tax Reform

 The Make Alaska Competitive Coalition has circulated the following statement in wake of oil tax reform legislation that passed the legislature last weekend (Here is more):

 
Thank you, Governor. Thank you, 28th Legislature.
 
As the clock ticked down on this year’s legislative session, the House passed SB 21 in the wee hours of Sunday morning, followed by the Senate a few hours later.
 
The vote was 27-12 in the House and 12-8 in the Senate.
 
SB 21, which was debated the entire session, is designed to move Alaska forward by charting a new course for the state’s future by increasing oil production and implementing a balanced tax system.
“We voted tonight for the future – our kids' and grandkids',” said Rep. Eric Feige, House Resources Committee co-chair. “We voted tonight to give them the opportunity to have a state and economy that will be prosperous.”
 
“I applaud legislators for fostering an open, respectful and honest dialogue with Alaskans,” Gov. Sean Parnell said. “They have passed legislation that meets our four guiding principles: this legislation is fair to Alaskans, it encourages new production, it is simple and restores balance to the system, and the tax structure is competitive and durable. Alaska’s oil comeback starts now.”
 
The bill that passed both houses carries a base tax rate of 35 percent, a new credit on produced oil up to $8 per barrel, a gross revenue exclusion (GRE) that taxes producers on 80 percent of new oil, a 30 percent GRE for fields with higher royalty rates, a 4 percent gross minimum tax, a manufacturing tax credit on equipment and supplies produced in Alaska and creation of a competitiveness review board to examine the State’s tax regime and recommend changes as needed.
 
“It’s time to reverse the trend that’s led to TAPS being three-quarters empty,” Alaska Speaker of the House Mike Chenault said. “Alaskans need to know that 90 percent of our state’s revenues come from oil, and if we don’t act now, make our state more competitive, the cuts in services and loss in the quality of life we’ve come to appreciate will take an even more drastic hit. We took a tremendous amount of time and effort over the last five years and we did it right.”
 
The House and Senate gave the bill dozens of hearings, took hours of public testimony and received comments and input from North Slope operators, independent explorers, the governor’s administration, legislative consultants and others.
 
Click here to read the final version of the bill.
Click here to read the governor’s statement.
Click here to view the Senate Majority press availability.
Click here to read the House Majority statement.
 
How they voted:
 
Senate
Republicans voting yes: Click Bishop (Fairbanks), John Coghill (Fairbanks), Mike Dunleavy (Wasilla), Fred Dyson (Eagle River), Anna Fairclough (Eagle River), Cathy Giessel (Anchorage), Charlie Huggins (Wasilla), Pete Kelly (Fairbanks), Lesil McGuire (Anchorage), Kevin Meyer (Anchorage), Peter Micciche (Soldotna).
Democrat voting yes: Donald Olson (Golovin).
House
Republicans voting yes: Alan Austerman (Kodiak), Mike Chenault (Nikiski), Mia Costello (Anchorage), Eric Feige (Chickaloon), Lynn Gattis (Wasilla), Mike Hawker (Anchorage), Pete Higgins (Fairbanks), Lindsey Holmes (Anchorage), Shelley Hughes (Palmer), Doug Isaacson (Fairbanks), Craig Johnson (Anchorage), Wes Keller (Wasilla), Gabrielle LeDoux (Anchorage), Bob Lynn (Anchorage), Charisse Millett (Anchorage), Cathy Muñoz (Juneau), Mark Neuman (Big Lake), Kurt Olson (Soldotna), Lance Pruitt (Anchorage), Lora Reinbold (Eagle River), Dan Saddler (Eagle River), Paul Seaton (Homer), Bill Stoltze (Chugiak), Steve Thompson (Fairbanks), Peggy Wilson (Wrangell), Tammie Wilson (North Pole).
Democrat voting yes: Benjamin Nageak (Barrow).
Excused Absence: David Guttenberg (D-Fairbanks).
Thank you, Alaskans.
We would like to personally thank the hundreds of Alaskans who supported the Make Alaska Competitive Coalition by talking to their legislators, friends and neighbors, participating in testimony on behalf of meaningful tax reform – and opening their checkbooks to support MACC. We couldn't have done it without you.
Jim Jansen and Marc Langland
Co-chairs, MACC Steering Committee
What they said
“Alaska’s oil comeback starts now.”
- Gov. Sean Parnell
 
“We’re racing to the bottom of an empty pipeline, and we’re going there very quickly."
– Rep. Craig Johnson
“This vote is really about providing for future generations.”
– Rep. Mia Costello
 
“This is a turning point for Alaska.”
– Rep. Mike Hawker
“It’s a step forward in doing what’s right for our kids and the next generation.”
– Sen. Anna Fairclough
 
“Alaskans want action and we gave them a tax package that strikes a balance and makes us more attractive to industry.”
– Rep. Eric Feige
“Alaska has tried the ACES experiment to see if we can punish our way to prosperity. It has clearly failed.”
– Rep. Dan Saddler
 
“What a difference an election makes.”
– Sen. Fred Dyson

 

 

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4-15-13

15 April 2013 6:22pm

Sean Parnell, Alaska, Governor, ACES, oil tax reform, Photo by Dave HarbourFrom Governor Parnell's Office.  Following the close of the first session of the 28th Alaska Legislature, Governor Sean Parnell (NGP Photo) today thanked legislators and highlighted the successful passage of many of his key priorities to improve Alaska. Reforming Alaska’s oil tax structure, providing cheaper energy to Interior and rural communities, reducing payroll tax increases, exercising fiscal restraint, and protecting Alaskan families led the governor’s agenda this session.

Alaska’s Oil Production Comeback
 
"After thoughtful analysis and debate, legislators passed Senate Bill 21", a statement from his office said today, "Governor Parnell’s bill to create a prosperous future for Alaskans though increased production. This legislation simplifies Alaska’s oil tax structure and provides the right balance for Alaskans at both high and low oil prices. Senate Bill 21 significantly improves Alaska’s competitive standing."
 
“This session, we took major steps to grow our economy and create opportunities for Alaskans,” Governor Parnell said. “Senate Bill 21 sets the course for an oil production comeback on the North Slope. I thank the many Alaskans from across the state who made their voices heard and testified on the importance of oil tax reform and what it means to their future.”
 
The Legislature also passed the governor’s permitting legislation. House Bill 129 and Senate Bill 27 will give Alaskans more say over the permitting process.
 
Interior Energy Plan
 
Additionally, the Legislature passed the governor’s Interior Energy Plan, which will provide cheaper energy to the Interior and Alaska’s road and river communities. Senate Bill 23 puts in place a financing package for natural gas liquefaction on the North Slope and a distribution system, in conjunction with private sector financing. 
Last week, Parnell complimented the Legislature on passage of gas pipeline legislation.  “Alaskans have had to wait too long to get their gas,” Governor Parnell said. “I commend Representative Hawker and Speaker Chenault for spearheading this legislation to get Alaska’s gas to Alaskans first, then to markets beyond.”
 
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