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Oil Patch Insider Begich berates ANWR drilling ban bill; Palin names Hartig to head DEC; Governor to speak at Jan. 19 Meet Alaska conference
The latest bid in Washington, D.C., by Rep. Ed Markey, R-Mass., to prohibit oil exploration on the 1.2-million-acre coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge lit a fire under at least one Democrat, who took the U.S. congressman to task Jan. 8. Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich wrote a letter to Markey, pointing out fallacies in the East Coast Democrat’s reasoning behind the drilling ban legislation and urging him to reconsider.
“Permanently banning future oil and gas development in the Arctic Refuge, the site of America’s best prospect for a major energy discovery, is short-sighted,” extolled Begich. “As last year’s record gasoline prices dramatically illustrated, America needs a comprehensive national energy policy … That policy also must include environmentally responsible development of this nation’s enormous energy resources, most of which lie beneath our public lands. To help lessen our dependence on uncertain foreign sources of energy, we also need to look at environmentally responsible development of domestic energy sources, such as the Arctic Refuge.”
As a fellow Democrat and mayor of Alaska’s largest city, Begich invited Markey to visit the Arctic coastal plain and to tour “cutting-edge” oil field technologies. He also offered his services in helping to draft a “strong” national energy policy.
—Rose Ragsdale
Governor names Hartig to head DEC Gov. Sarah Palin has named Larry Hartig as commissioner of the Department of Natural Resources.
“Larry is the perfect Alaskan for this position,” Palin said Jan. 10. “His deep Alaska roots coupled with in-depth experience with environmental issues in the private sector will serve Alaskans well. I have complete confidence that Larry will serve the best interests of the state, protecting our environment, as we enter this crucial period of resource development. Larry wants to get a gas line for Alaskans and his oil and gas experience which dates back to the early 70’s will add to the solid foundation of this administration.”
Hartig an Anchorage attorney Hartig is an attorney who actively practices law in the areas of environmental, natural resources, and real estate law matters. His professional legal experience includes the acquisition of exploration and mineral rights for mining and oil and gas companies, purchase agreements, leases and other transactional agreements. Hartig has also provided legal guidance relating to environmental compliance and cleanup of contamination and assisting clients in obtaining air, water, and other permits for natural resource development.
He has been in private practice in Anchorage since 1983.
“I was very pleased to get the governor’s call,” said Hartig. “I look forward to serving Alaskans and combining my experiences to further help guide the state in its resource development.”
Hartig has been a member of the State Board of Forestry since 1994. He is a member of the Alaska Mining Association, a director of the Resource Development Council and an active board member of AMEEF, the Alaska Mineral and Energy Education Fund.
Alaska governor to speak at Meet Alaska Alaska’s newly elected governor, Sarah Palin, has accepted an invitation from the Alliance to speak at Meet Alaska 2007.
The state’s most prestigious annual energy conference, Meet Alaska will be held in on Jan. 19 at the Sheraton Anchorage Hotel.
The Alliance’s president, Jim Palmer, will introduce the governor who will speak at 8:50 a.m.
For more information about the conference visit the Alliance’s web site at www.alaskaalliance.com or call 907 563-2226.
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