Mark Myers returns to state government

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Mark Myers, former director of the Alaska Division of Oil and Gas, is returning to Alaska.

Gov. Sarah Palin announced Jan. 21 that Myers has been named coordinator for the Alaska Gasline Inducement Act.

In order to move the gas line project forward and in exchange for meeting the state’s requirements under AGIA, the successful license applicant, TransCanada, is entitled to inducements. While AGIA provides for up to $500 million in state matching funds, the act also provides for a coordinator to expedite project review and permitting by state agencies.

“It is truly an honor to have attracted such an exceptional candidate to this position,” Palin said. “Not only is Dr. Myers an excellent candidate and proven leader, he brings his exceptional knowledge of the oil and gas industries, his extensive management experience, his petroleum geology background and, most importantly, his passion for moving the AGIA project forward.”

“It is a real pleasure to welcome Dr. Myers back to Alaska; he is exceptionally qualified for this undertaking,” said Department of Natural Resources Commissioner Tom Irwin.

“It is a privilege to serve in the Palin Administration and I look forward to taking on the challenges associated with a project of such great importance for the state and the nation,” said Myers.

Myers, an internationally recognized geologist and former director of the U.S. Geological Survey, was previously the director of the Division of Oil and Gas and the state geologist overseeing the Division of Geological and Geophysical Surveys. He earned a doctorate in geology from the University of Alaska Fairbanks in 1994.

—Petroleum News