Alaska Gov. Sean Parnell told the Resource Development Council this morning that he is naming Alaska Attorney General Dan Sullivan as commissioner of the Department of Natural Resources.
Parnell said he was seeking innovators for his cabinet and a team to create a climate for jobs.
Other commissioners named this morning include Becky Hultberg, a former press secretary for Gov. Frank Murkowski, as commissioner of Administration, and Marc Luiken, deputy commissioner of aviation, as commissioner of Transportation and Public Facilities.
The governor said that Susan Bell would stay on as commissioner of Commerce and Economic Development, and Larry Hartig as commissioner of Environmental Conservation.
See story in Nov. 21 issue, available online to subscribers at noon, Friday, Nov. 19 at www.PetroleumNews.com
hich includes establishing high standards for the protection of this critical ecosystem, the surrounding communities, and the subsistence needs and cultural traditions of Alaska Natives," said Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell. "These proposed regulations issued today extend the administration's thoughtful approach to balanced oil and gas exploration in the Arctic, and are designed to ensure that offshore exploratory activities will continue to be subject to the highest safety standards."
Interior says the new regulations contain a combination of performance-based and prescriptive standards that cover all phases of offshore exploration in the Arctic.
The proposed rule includes requirements that an offshore operator file an integrated operations plan for proposed drilling operations; that the operator of a drilling project has available a capping stack and containment dome for dealing with an out-of-control well; and that the operator has available a second rig for the drilling of a relief well, should a well loss-of-control incident arise.
"This proposed rule is designed to ensure safe energy exploration in unforgiving Arctic conditions," said Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement Director Brian Salerno. "It builds upon our existing Arctic-specific standards and experience with previous operations offshore Alaska, encourages further development of technology, and includes rigorous safeguards to protect the fragile environment."
- ALAN BAILEY
See story in March 1 issue, available online Friday, Feb. 27 at www.PetroleumNews.com
