Armstrong on Dunleavy

Kay Cashman

Petroleum News

So what does Bill Armstrong of Armstrong Oil & Gas think of Gov.-elect Mike Dunleavy?

“This is a great time to be in Alaska. Politically, maybe the best it has been in the 17 years I have working been in the state. Republicans control both houses and there is a prodevelopment governor,” he told Petroleum News Nov. 19.

“The new governor, Mike Dunleavy, is a really smart guy who appreciates the importance of proper resource (oil and gas) development. Gov. Dunleavy knows that Alaska, particularly the North Slope, still has a lot of remaining potential and realizes that the state can work together with the industry for smoother regulatory/permitting issues, access to infrastructure, buildout of roads and facilities, the importance of a fair, stable fiscal regime, etc.,” Armstrong said.

“The governor’s appointment of Sean Parnell as adviser on the AK LNG project is a good example of his practicality. Sean really understands the business. He has been in the oil business prior to public service and he knows the relationships between government and industry well.

As governor, Sean put in place a fair, competitive tax law, SB 21, that replaced the disastrous ‘windfall profits’ tax (called ACES). Sean and the new governor know the importance of a gas pipeline and what it could do for the state,” he continued.

“Corri Feige is another good example of Dunleavy’s practicality. Corri was DNR Division of Oil and Gas director before. She knows the importance of working with big and small companies alike. She understands that the state can work hand in hand with the industry and everyone can win.” - KAY CASHMAN