11-12-11

Fairbanks News Miner by Jeff Richardson.  The Greater Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce renewed its push to reform the state’s oil tax system Tuesday, hosting a panel of business leaders to discuss the looming problems behind declining North Slope production. ... “The momentum is slowing,” Northrim Bank President Joe Beedle (NGP Photo) said. “As we look at our budgets and growth for the future, we’re concerned.”

ADN by Sean Cockerham.  Regulators have approved a deal for Chugach Electric Association to buy Fire Island wind power, a move that should allow Cook Inlet Region Inc. to go ahead and build a windmill farm on the island.

New York Times (10/11/11) reports: Vladimir V. Putin has shown an uncanny mastery of the politics and economics of oil. On his watch as president and prime minister, Russia ascended to the top of the global business, surpassing Saudi Arabia as the world’s largest oil producer… Yet in a series of meetings over the past two years, more or less, aides have confronted Mr. Putin with evidence that Russia’s pre-eminence in the world of oil will not last if the current imposition of exceptionally high taxes on oil companies is left in place over the next decade.

Real Clear Energy (10/10/11) reports: “The trendy belief that China is switching to renewables for its electricity generation is a myth.”