Gasline Meetings Galore in Alaska

 One asks: If "Tax Certainty" is the most important issue in encouraging construction of a gas pipeline, then what good are all the meetings and all the legislation if tax certainty is not provided?  See stories and David MacDowell video below...and our earlier commentary.  -dh

Yesterday, Commonwealth North's president, Joe Beedle introduced Mary Ann Pease (NGP Photo) to brief members on results of its recently published energy report," with help from committee member, Brian Davies.  The report focused greatest attention on residential, business and commercial energy supply and deliverability issues affecting the most populous areas of Alaska.  Pease indicated that future work would focus more heavily on economic aspects of energy project alternatives and on rural Alaska energy issues.
 (More report and photos to follow....)
(Juneau) - The Alaska State House today unanimously passed House Bill 369, legislation creating the Joint In-State Gasline Development Team.  House Speaker Mike Chenault, R-Nikiski, sponsored the bill.  The bill would create the team within the Office of the Governor and empower them to unify state resources and work towards submitting a project plan by July 2011, with gas flowing by the end of 2015.  "We have studied and talked about an in-state gasline long enough.
Now's the time to get the right group in place to bring a viable development plan forward," Speaker Chenault said. "HB 369 brings the relevant state agencies or entities and assets together, unifying their efforts and giving them clear directives and timelines for delivering their plan. The Railbelt cannot continue to wait and hope for a solution. HB 369 is the first step in creating economic opportunities and a consistent energy supply."  The full text of this release and audio and video can be found below:   

http://housemajority.org/item.php?id=chen20100324-612

 

(Juneau) - The Alaska State House today unanimously passed House Bill 280, entitled the Cook Inlet Recovery Act, or CIRA. House Finance Committee Co-Chair Mike Hawker, R-Anchorage and House Speaker Mike Chenault, R-Nikiski, sponsored the bill.  "In a few years, the Cook Inlet gas reserves we depend on today will not be enough to meet the demand of Southcentral homes and businesses," Hawker said. "Acting now, before there is a crisis, is critical to securing a stable and affordable energy source for our community.  "The Cook Inlet Recovery Act will provide incentives to develop and authority to regulate new gas storage facilities, which are essential to the utility provider's ability to meet peak deliverability on the coldest days," Hawker said. "CIRA also enhances existing tax credits for exploring for new gas in the Cook Inlet."  The full text of this release and audio and video can be found below: http://housemajority.org/item.php?id=hawk20100324-613