Dan Healing of the Calgary Herald Reports Louisana LNG Project Is A 'Go'!  ARNI Dogs Alaska Projects.

Bureau of Ocean EnergyDr. James Kendall by Dave Harbour, BOEMRE, Chukchi SEIS, Beaufort Sea Lease Sale Management, Regulation and Enforcement Michael Bromwich by Dave Harbour, BOEMRE, Chukchi SEIS(BOEMRE) Director Michael R. Bromwich (NGP Photo-l) today named Dr. James Kendall (NGP Photo-r at a 3-9-11 hearing in Anchorage) as the Director of the Alaska Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Region. Dr. Kendall has been serving as Acting Director for the region since January 1, 2011.  (More below.)

 

Yesterday, Governor Sean Parnell (NGP Photo) —  also grappling with WashingtonGovernor Sean Parnell by Dave Harbour, Alaska, Rare Earth Elements over energy access issues — urged the federal government to seek Alaska's rare earth element trove for American use as China hoards world supply.  (Scroll down for Monday's background story, below.)  … “With over 70 potential REE sites, Alaska is in a position to provide significant amounts of REEs to the nation,” Governor Rebecca Logan by Dave Harbour, REE, Rare Earth Elements, Alaska Support Industry AllianceParnell wrote to Energy Secretary Steven Chu. “The federal government simply cannot afford to sit on the sidelines as other countries move aggressively to develop new mines and build a globally competitive research branch.

ADN Op-Ed by Rebecca Logan (NGP Photo).  China's announcement to reduce exports of rare earth minerals has triggered our government and other nations that depend on these critical resources to look within their borders for possible solutions. It also cast light on an underlying problem: the United States lacks a clear strategy to provide the raw materials critical to our economy and national security.

Comment:  Yesterday we were considering the lack of movementLisa Murkowski by Dave Harbour, ARNI, Tanana River, CD-5 on federal approval of Chris Aadnesen by Dave Harbour, ARR, Alaska Railroad, ARNI, Tanana River BridgeConocoPhillips' CD-5 project in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska and recalled a statement by Alaska Railroad President Chris Aadnesen (NGP Photo) last week about fear that the EPA will not provide final approval on an important Tanana River bridge crossing project.  On closer examination, it appears both projects may suffer the same obstructive federal fate through application of 'ARNI, a memorandum of agreement' between the Corps of Engineers and the EPA, a process not approved by Congress or promulgated via a rulemaking process providing for public testimony, petitions for reconsideration or appeals.  Here is a reference we found to this federal challenge by Senator Lisa Murkowski (NGP Photo).  We are confident the state Administration will also be able to follow up on this clear violation of due process by these two agencies.  -dh

On Thursday, June 2nd the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources will hold an oversight hearing on “Domestic Oil and Natural Gas: Alaskan Resources, Access and Infrastructure.”  This Congressman Doc Hastings, Alaska energy, ANWR, NPR-a, Chukchi, OCS, BLM, NPR-Ahearing is part of House Republicans’ American Energy Initiative, an ongoing effort to stop government policies that are driving up gasoline prices and expand American energy production to help lower costs and create jobs. 
 
The hearing will focus on domestic oil and natural gas permitting, access to federal oil and natural gas resources in the National Petroleum Reserve Alaska (NPRA), keeping the Trans Alaska Pipeline System (TAPS) full and operational, and prospects and permitting for offshore energy production.     (more below)

 
Alaska’s vast oil and natural gas resources must be an integral part of both immediate and long-term American energy plans.  Developing Alaskan resources will create jobs and economic growth for the residents of the State and provide the continental U.S. with a safe, abundant supply of energy.  This hearing is an opportunity to examine both available resources in Alaska and Obama Administration policies that are hindering access.  President Obama recently spoke about leasing in the NPRA and I’m hopeful that there could be bipartisan support for solutions to develop and transport this American energy,” said Chairman Doc Hastings (NGP Photo).
 
Alaska has significant oil and natural gas resources that can be used to create American jobs, generate revenue, and reduce our dangerous dependence on foreign oil.  As this Committee advances legislative solutions to increase onshore energy production, Alaska is a logical place to startUnfortunately, permitting delays and policies that block necessary infrastructure are preventing us from accessing these energy resources,” said Subcommittee Chairman Doug Lamborn. 
 
WHAT:
Energy and Mineral Resources Subcommittee Oversight Hearing on “Domestic Oil and Natural Gas: Alaskan Resources, Access and Infrastructure”
 
Witnesses to be announced.
 
WHEN:
Thursday, June 2nd, 2011
10:00 A.M.
 
WHERE:
1324 Longworth House Office Building
 
 

Visit the Committee Hearings webpage for testimony and additional information, once it is made available.  The hearing is open to the public and a live stream will be broadcast at http://naturalresources.house.gov/live.

 

 Appointment of Dr. James Kendall:

 

Today (5-25-11), Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement (BOEMRE) Director Michael R. Bromwich named Dr. James Kendall as the Director of the Alaska Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Region. Dr. Kendall has been serving as the Acting Director for the region since January 1, 2011.
 
“Jim is absolutely the right person for the job. We have very difficult decisions to make regarding energy development offshore Alaska, and the American public must have complete confidence that those decisions will be informed by the best scientific information available,” said Director Bromwich. “Jim embodies the principles of scientific integrity. He is committed to openness and transparency, and he is a dedicated public servant. The feedback I have received regarding Jim’s tenure over the last few months as Acting Regional Director from environmental organizations, industry groups, and other stakeholders has been uniformly positive – they have praised Jim’s openness, his accessibility, and his willingness to listen to all points of view. This praise has been universal, including from stakeholders who have been critical of our office in the past. I am very pleased to have him at the helm of the Alaska Regional office.”
 
Dr. Kendall most recently served as the Chief of BOEMRE’s Environmental Division, where he was responsible for overseeing the Bureau’s $30 million applied environmental and socioeconomic research program, its responsibilities under the National Environmental Policy Act, its environmental compliance responsibilities and the Coastal Impact Assistance Program. Prior to joining the BOEMRE Headquarters Office in 2000, Dr. Kendall served as the Chief of the Environmental Sciences Section of BOEMRE’s Gulf of Mexico Region.
 
"Working with the Regional BOEMRE team these past few months has been an honor. They are true professionals, committed to environmental protection, responsible energy development and our nation," Dr. Kendall said. "The Alaska OCS is both an environmental treasure and a vital, strategic national resource and I am committed to ensuring safe and environmentally sound stewardship of its resources."
 
BOEMRE’s Alaska Region oversees the exploration and development of oil and gas resources in federal waters offshore Alaska. This includes assessments of the oil and gas resources, preparation of environmental analyses and research, coordination with local, state, tribal and federal governments, and others interested in the OCS program.
 
Dr. Kendall will eventually transition to become the head of the Alaska region for the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, one of the new agencies that will replace the former Minerals Management Service on Oct. 1, 2011.