Parnell takes over as IOGCC chairman

Alaska Gov. Sean Parnell took over as chair of the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission Oct 17. The IOGCC represents 30 oil-and-gas producing states and has international members including Canadian provinces.

The governor’s office said in a statement that as chairman, Parnell will set the direction for IOGCC and provide a leading voice for domestic oil and gas production, while ensuring protection of the environment.

Recent Alaska governors have served terms as chair, including Steve Cowper, Tony Knowles, Frank Murkowski and Sarah Palin.

In a keynote speech at the IOGCC’s 2011 annual meeting in Buffalo, N.Y., Parnell discussed challenges to new energy production and called on the states to work together and help make the case that increasing domestic energy production makes sense.

Parnell told IOGCC members that the solution to the nation’s federal debt “is right in front of us.”

“We can regain our economic footing through producing more American energy. To boil it down to one simple truth: More American oil and gas production means jobs. And jobs translate into stable communities, vibrant states and a strong nation.”

—Petroleum News