Murkowski to head IOGCC

The Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission named its 2003-04 officers May 29.

New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson was named chairman; Donald Mason of Ohio was selected as vice chairman and Randy Ruedrich of Alaska was named second vice chairman.

Mason, a member of the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, is the current second vice chairman of the IOGCC. Ruedrich is a member of the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission.

Richardson, a former United Nations ambassador and U.S. Secretary of Energy during the Clinton Administration, was chosen at the IOGCC’s midyear meeting in Williamsburg, Va. He will succeed the current chairman, North Dakota Gov. John Hoeven, at the organization's annual meeting in Reno, Nev., Oct. 19-21.

Alaska Gov. Frank Murkowski was named chairman-elect, and will serve as chairman in 2004-05, with Ruedrich as vice chairman and Don Likwartz, state oil and gas supervisor for Wyoming, as second vice chair. Wyoming Gov. Dave Freudenthal was tabbed to serve as chairman in 2005-2006.

The IOGCC, founded in 1935 to ensure the efficient recovery of domestic petroleum resources while protecting health, safety and the environment, represents the governors of 30 oil and gas producing states. Seven states are associate members, and the IOGCC international program has seven affiliates. For more information on the IOGCC, visit its Web site at www.iogcc.state.ok.us.