Persily confirmed as federal coordinator

The U.S. Senate unanimously confirmed Larry Persily March 10 as Alaska natural gas transportation project federal coordinator.

U.S. Sen. Mark Begich, D-Alaska, recommended Persily to the Obama administration for the post.

The senator said in a statement after the March 10 confirmation vote: “Larry’s confirmation is great news in the effort to develop Alaska’s natural gas resources and take the gas line from vision and hope to reality.”

Begich said Persily has more than three decades of experience in Alaska and more than a decade’s experience working oil and gas issues, which make him “uniquely qualified to take this position, work with the White House on behalf of Alaskans, and get Alaska’s gas to market.”

“The White House has indicated once Larry takes his job, President Obama wants to elevate the coordinator’s office into his executive office to further advance the Alaska gas line project,” Begich said.

—Petroleum News