7-26-12

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, (NGP Photo), yesterday introduced bipartisan legislation to expand American offshore energy production with a revised five-year leasing plan and provide revenue sharing to  all participating coastal states. The Offshore Petroleum Expansion Now Act of 2012 – OPEN Act – is co-sponsored by Sens. Jim Webb, Mark Warner; Mary Landrieu; John Hoeven; Jim Inhofe, R-Okla

Fairbanks News Miner by Matt Buxton.  House Speaker Mike Chenault is expected to focus on the state’s energy woes and discuss the direction of the House Majority’s efforts after his favored measure, House Bill 9, faltered in the Senate during the special session. The measure was pitched as a way to empower the Alaska Gasline Development Corporation to represent the state in discussions with private development plans, but was criticized for handing too much power to a state agency.  Sen. John Coghill, R-North Pole, and senate candidates Ralph Seekins and Pete Kelly will be there to share their take on energy issues. Republican candidates Click Bishop and David Eastman are unable to attend.