Monthly Archives: October 2009

Governor Parnell says he’s still optimistic about the completion of a gas line from the North Slope to North American markets.  He said he’s been meeting with companies that could use the project – and he says he doesn’t see any reason for changing the statutory terms at this point.

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The Permanent Fund has begun to turn around the stock market losses of the past two years.   Executive Director Mike Burns reports a return of $3.4 Billion during the first quarter of this fiscal year.  That’s a 10.7% increase – putting the fund’s value at $33-Billion. Continue reading →

The U-S Small Business Administration is prepared to issue new regulations changing the federal oversight of the 8(a) program that allows regional and village native corporations to avoid the competitive bidding process on many federal purchases.

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The Department of Natural Resources today (Friday) asked a Dillingham Superior Court to reconsider a decision ten days ago concerning a challenge to the Pebble Mine.  Judge Fred Torrisi denied a motion to dismiss a case brought by the Nondalton Tribal Council and other plaintiffs who said the Murkowski’ administration’s reclassifying of land around the mine for development was improperly done.

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House Rules Chairman John Coghil, of North Pole, is on his way to the Senate. Senate Republicans approved his appointment by Governor Parnell two weeks ago to replace Gene Therriault, who quite the Senate to join the Governor’s staff.

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The six Pioneer Homes around the state do not administer free prescription medicines to Disabled Veterans who reside there.  Instead, the residents are required to purchase their medication from the state assisted living facilities.

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The state has begun a three-pronged response to what Governor Parnell calls the improper use of the Endangered Species Act to shut resource development. He says that won’t happen on his watch.

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The leaders of the state Senate Resources Committee today (Monday) opened a way for the public to participate in developing a statewide energy plan.

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The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration – NOAA – says its analysis of the state’s request for disaster assistance could be done in about another month.  The Department of Commerce last week said it does not expect to respond to the request until February at the earliest.

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Former Governor Frank Murkowski has begun a brief tour of the state to talk about what he sees as a pending crisis in the state’s reliance on oil – and its relationship to gas development.    He says oil production – and the use of the TransAlaska Pipeline — is dropping to dangerously low quantities.

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