Boyle resigns, John Crowther appointed DNR acting commissioner

Kay Cashman

Petroleum News

On Oct. 24, John Boyle resigned as commissioner of the Alaska Department of Natural Resources and Gov. Mike Dunleavy appointed DNR Deputy Commissioner John Crowther to take his place as acting commissioner.

Boyle's first day as commissioner was Jan. 6, 2023; his last day Oct. 24.

Crowther's appointment met with strong support from many oil and gas producers and explorers in an informal, not for attribution survey conducted by Petroleum News on Oct. 28.

Like Boyle, Crowther was an attorney, but several individuals surveyed said he was "very approachable" and willing to get down into the "weeds" in discussions in order to understand the oil and gas business perspective.

Another person said Crowther "walked a thin line" between industry's interest and the state's interest, "clearly representing the state's interest but always looking for solutions that were good for both."

For example, "in royalty reduction discussions he understood that the state forfeiting some royalties in order to encourage investment resulted in more drilling, which was good for both the state and the oil and gas companies."

"The Department of Natural Resources is at the forefront of protecting and developing Alaska's precious land and waters. Mr. Crowther's legal background and experience as a deputy commissioner make him a great choice to advance the responsible development, and maximum use, of Alaska's natural resources consistent with the public interest as mandated by Alaska's Constitution," Dunleavy said in a press release dated Oct. 24.

"I also want to thank John Boyle for his years of service to the department, and the people of Alaska, and wish him the best in his future endeavors," the governor said.

"Managing Alaska's natural resources is an enormous responsibility that I take extremely seriously, and I want to thank Governor Dunleavy for placing his trust in me to manage the department and its hundreds of hard-working employees," Crowther said.

He first started at the department in 2012 and most recently served as deputy commissioner managing its oil and gas, project permitting, and geological survey divisions. Before re-joining DNR Crowther was Director of the Governor's Washington, D.C. office and was a staffer on the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.

Crowther earned his bachelor's degree in economics from Dartmouth College and juris doctorate from Georgetown University Law Center.

-KAY CASHMAN