Monthly Archives: January 2010

By Dave Donaldson

Day One of this year’s ninety day legislative session (Tuesday) passed quietly,  mostly with ceremony and formalities that have to be dealt with.   Presiding officers read new legislation into the record and made committee reassignments as members prepared for a reception this evening at the governor’s house.  Continue reading →

By Dave Donaldson

The legislature goes into its annual session tomorrow (Tuesday) with a major focus on energy-related issues.  Fuel development and supply,  as well as taxes,  are at the top of  the agenda for both parties … although how much gets to the governor’s desk is still up in the air.  Continue reading →

By Dave Donaldson

A potential project that would determine the feasibility of putting gas into utilities, homes and businesses throughout rural Alaska is beginning to be circulated at the capitol this year.   Continue reading →

By Dave Donaldson

U-S Commerce Secretary Gary Locke today (Friday) formally recognized last year’s fishing disaster in Western Alaska.   Continue reading →

By Dave Donaldson

Governor Parnell today (Thursday) said he will introduce legislative amendments to the state’s petroleum revenue structure to give more investment incentives and tax credits to oil producers and explorers – in exchange for new jobs he anticipates would come from increased development.    Continue reading →

By Libby Casey

Environmental group Greenpeace has filed a Senate Ethics complaint
against Senator Lisa Murkowski for consulting lobbyists as she wrote
an amendment.  But Murkowski and her staff say the criticism is
overblown, and that her office did nothing wrong.  Continue reading →

By Libby Casey
Senator Lisa Murkowski says she believes the troop surge in
Afghanistan will be effective, although it will likely cost more
American casualties.  Continue reading →

By Dave Donaldson

Legislators will have at least fifty one new bills before them when they go into session.  The bills drafted since the end of last year’s session were pre-filed and released to the public Friday morning  — and some of them will likely get extra attention.  Continue reading →

By Dave Donaldson

A bill ready to be introduced to the legislature  for consideration this year would prevent utilities from billing customers for losses due to the company’s own negligence,  recklessness or violation of the law.   It is a response to Enstar Natural Gas Company’s decision to charge users for the money it needed to reimburse Fort Richardson after discovering a six million dollar billing error.  Continue reading →

By Libby Casey

The Obama Administration has announced reforms to the nation’s ONSHORE

oil and gas leasing program.  Continue reading →