Our Comment: Yesterday, we reported on Monday night's federal hearing on Alaska OCS lease sale 193. It is a classic example of death by a thousand cuts, delay and attempted defeat of a national interest energy project that would benefit Alaska and the nation. The extreme environmental lobbies that raise funds based on the latest 'crisis' are also at work in Canada. In this CBC report, "Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall has a theory why Canada's pipeline projects are becoming something of an endangered species. … 'No pipelines are being built, no pipelines are being approved because the goal posts keep changing, and this argument apparently can't be made to the satisfaction of those who simply … aren't comfortable with the development of oil, period.'" Sound familiar? -dh
New Alaska Governor and Administration, by Katie Bender, Alaskanomics
| Alaska Journal of Commerce re: how Walker is reconstituting the Palin administration team. |
Monday saw a changing of the guard in Juneau and ushered in the Walker/Mallot era in Alaska. The past few weeks have been very busy for Governor Bill Walker (NGP Photo) and his transition team. With the election not certified until weeks after the election, there was very little time for an official transition to take place. The Governor must submit a budget by December 15, 2014. This budget will really be an outline and will essentially be from Parnell’s team. Governor Walker has until January 20, 2015, when the legislative session begins to shape the budget with his own ideas.
The new Governor will have a lot to consider with oil prices hovering around $80 per barrel, well below the 2015 budget estimates. Will the industry be able to keep the current momentum of growth even with the low oil prices? The Governor must also keep the gas pipeline project on track and make sure that the major producers are continuing to invest in future development. The leaders of the major producers assured Alaskans that investment is still on track during last month’s RDC conference. Governor Walker also assured the conference that he was ready to continue working on the Alaska LNG project and make sure that it moved forward in a timely manner.
The Governor has been announcing staff and department heads during the past week. There will be more announcements as the Governor and his team prepare for the upcoming legislative session and assume the regular duties of running the state.
- Chief of Staff- Jim Whitaker
- Administrative Services Director- Guy Bell (retained from Parnell administration)
- Attorney General- Craig Richards
- Fish and Game Commissioner- Sam Cotten
- Health and Social Services Commissioner- Valerie Davidson
- Natural Resources Commissioner- Mark Myers
- Natural Resources Deputy Commissioner- Marty Rutherford
- Office of Budget and Management Director- Pat Pitney
- Public Safety Commissioner- Gary Folger (retained from Parnell administration)
- Revenue Commissioner- Randy Hoffbeck
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