Retired Executive Director of the Alaska Miners Association, Steve Borell, sent this pipeline map of the troubled Ukraine today, saying, "If you want to understand this mess very quickly, just look at the map."
 
Thank you, Steve.   

Clearly, Russia has leverage over Ukraine.  Depriving Ukraine of energy supplies or reasonably priced energy could deal a devastating economic blow to the struggling country.

The map also illustrates the importance of the United States and Canada reasonably developing their own energy resources.  Energy is the building block of an economy and all economic activity in modern societies is totally dependent on both the supply and the reasonable pricing of energy supplies–as we learned with the Arab Oil Embargo in the 1970s.

With continuing delay of the Keystone XL pipeline and continuous stalling of other energy and mining projects, America's leaders are preventing their citizens not only from having massive new employment, but from enjoying the energy independence and national security which they deserve and could so easily enjoy but for an obstinate Administration.

The map was created from data provided from National Gas Union of Ukraine by RIA Novosti.  We display the map with appreciation, subject to permission requested from the owner.  This and other similar maps are available to public viewing on Google.           -dh

 
Governor Murkowski Advises State On Federal and Gasline Policies
 
by
 
Carl Portman
 
Speaking at the Alaska Support Industry Alliance Thursday breakfast meeting in Anchorage, former Governor Frank Murkowski (NGP Photo) urged the legislature to clearly identify the risks and benefits of the Memorandum of Understanding between the state and TransCanada that spells out the terms of a partnership between these entities to bring stranded North Slope gas to commercial markets. The former governor also addressed SB 138, a bill introduced by Governor Sean Parnell, which creates a framework for the project.
 
    Murkowski also addressed other issues, including "federal overreach" which he said is harming Alaska's efforts to broaden its economy through the development of its natural resources.
 
Especially critical of the Environmental Protection Agency's Bristol Bay Watershed Assessment, Murkowski said the EPA may be positioning itself to use the assessment to prevent the Pebble project in Southwest Alaska from being vetted through the multi-year NEPA permitting process. He said a preemptive and premature veto of the project would set a dangerous precedent and potentially threaten future projects across Alaska and elsewhere.
 
The former governor also urged the state to seriously consider a Canadian project to extend a railroad to Delta where Alberta oil would be pumped into the the trans-Alaska oil pipeline, which is currently running at two-thirds empty. The Canadians are in early discussions on the potential project and are conducting an economic analysis to see if it is feasible. 
 
Murkowski said Alaska cannot wait ten years or longer for a gas pipeline from the North Slope to Southcentral Alaska or new oil from the Outer Continental Shelf. He said Alaska's economic well-being is dependent on Alaskans taking action now to spur new activity that will bear fruit sooner than later.