Sen. John Coghill, R-North Pole, testifies before the House State Affairs committee during a February 16 hearing on SB 89, a bill he introduced at the request of the Legislative Ethics Committee, of which he is a member. The bill makes a number of changes to the ethics law, which can be read here: http://www.legis.state.ak.us/basis/get_bill.asp?bill=SB%20%2089&session=27
Alaskans Support ANWR Leasing Provision in HR 7 in Congress
By Sen. Cathy Giessel
Once again, there is momentum in Congress to move the ball forward on ANWR exploration and development.
I recently sent a letter to Chairman David Dreier and all members of the Rules committee in the U.S. House of Representative urging them to not strip the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) provision from HR 7. If we are to work toward energy self-sufficiency, we must open a small portion of the ANWR to responsible oil and gas development.
Significant hydrocarbon resources exist in the 1002 area of ANWR. Credible estimates identify more than 16 billion barrels of oil and 18 trillion cubic feet of natural gas lie within the 1002 area of ANWR.
The specific footprint designated for development is very small, about three square miles. The whole 1002 area is about the size of the state of South Carolina. Advances in technology have made it possible to access significant resources from the very small portion that would be developed.
Given that the U.S. imports about 49 percent of the oil (2010) it consumes, it is vital that we seize the opportunity for oil and gas development on the Alaska coastal plain.
Exploration, development, extraction and transportation of oil from the North Slope has been conducted in a very environmentally safe way for many decades. Under the state’s stewardship, caribou herds that call the Coastal Plain of ANWR home have increased from about 5,000 animals in the 1970’s to more than 65,000 animals today. Polar bear, fox, geese and other wildlife thrive in close proximity to the development activities, without negative affect.
A profound majority of Alaskans, seventy-eight percent, support petroleum resource development in the 1002 area. Every Alaska Governor, every Legislature, and elected Congressional Representative and Senator from Alaska have supported responsible development in ANWR. In addition, the people who live in the area understand the importance of development. The North Slope Borough and the Alaska Federation of Natives, as well as residents of the community of Kaktovik, the only Native village within ANWR, also support responsible development.
Alaskans remember that one vote, by a visionary leader in the U.S. Senate, allowed construction of the Trans Alaska Pipeline, providing the U.S. with vital petroleum resources. America needs the same courage and vision today. Today, Alaskans can – once again – do their part by encouraging members of the U.S. House of Representatives to vote “yes” to open ANWR.
For Immediate Release: Tuesday, February 14
Sen. Cathy Giessel Will Hold Constituent Town Hall Meetings at Rabbit Cr., Eagle R. Saturday, Feb. 18
ANCHORAGE – State Senator Cathy Giessel will host or co-host two open forum town hall meetings this Saturday, February 18, 2012 to discuss issues with her Senate District P constituents in South Anchorage and Eagle River. The South Anchorage town hall meeting will be held at the Rabbit Creek Community Church from 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. The Eagle River town hall meeting is scheduled for the Chugiak Senior Center from 2-4:00 p.m.
“Now that our 2012 legislative session is well underway, I think it is prudent to check in with interested constituents to find out what is important to them,” Giessel said. “Many crucial issues have been held over from last year – including tax reform that results in increased TAPS throughput; equitable education funding; the Susitna-Watana dam project; and diminishing federal dollars, to name just a few. I look forward to meeting with my friends and neighbors and incorporating their concerns and ideas into the debate in Juneau.”
Town Hall Meetings on Saturday, February 18:
South Anchorage 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Rabbit Creek Community Church
Eagle River 2 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Chugiak Senior Center
Other Upcoming Town Hall Meetings in Senate District P:
Girdwood Town Hall: Sat., March 3 – 11-12:30 @ The Meadows Community Room
South Anch. Town Hall: Sat., March 17 – 10-11:30am @ Chapel of the Cross Church of the Nazarene
Eagle River Town Home: Sat., March 17 – 2-4pm @ Eagle River Town Center
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Senator Cathy Giessel has published her February constituent newsletter, which can be read by going here: Newsletter February 7 2012
For Immediate Release: February 8, 2012
State Senate Approves Sen. Coghill’s SB 89 –
Legislative Ethics Law Changes
(Juneau) – The Alaska State Senate today passed SB 89, making statute changes to better define ethical issues for legislators and staff. Sen. John Coghill, R-North Pole, serves on the Select Committee on Legislative Ethics and introduced the bill at the request of the committee.
Sen. Coghill said SB 89 clarifies a number of vague areas in the ethics laws. The bill provides for alternate public members to the committee that eliminates a problem in making a quorum, and adds accountability to public members of the committee by including them in confidentiality provisions of ethics law.
“Our hope in passing SB 89 is to eliminate some ambiguities in the ethics laws,” Coghill said. “I think it is better for the laws to be clear on what is ethical. The Ethics Committee has enough to do in investigating complaints and enforcing the law, and should not have to interpret the gray areas. We know that ethics laws do not prevent unethical behavior but provide direction for legislators and staff.”
SB 89 will now be referred to the House of Representatives for its consideration.
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