Opinions

Gov. Parnell: Walker's gas line criticism is reckless

We've had a run of great news on the natural gas front in Alaska. A thousand people spent the spring developing a massive new gas field on the North Slope; hundreds of others spent the summer logging field work through the Interior for the Alaska LNG Project.

But my opponent, Bill Walker, says the plan is all wrong, and he might bring the investment, the jobs and the progress to a grinding halt if elected – or, maybe he wouldn't.

It's bad enough that Walker is willing to threaten our economy, Alaskan jobs and our natural gas future with these statements. But how can Alaskans trust Walker when he calls a project "fatally flawed" in one breath, and in the next, tells us he might stick with it? Walker may not be clear on what he would do, but the effect of his doublespeak is clear – his policies would kill the major gas project Alaskans have long pursued.

I believe in AK LNG. This is a genuine project recognized as such internationally. AK LNG has a track record of meeting a succession of major milestones and drawing private sector investment to the tune of hundreds of millions of dollars.

We've come so far in just a few years. First, the Parnell administration settled a long-standing dispute with Exxon and its partners surrounding development of Point Thomson, a gas field critical to a large-scale natural gas project. Our agreement requires proof of financial commitment and actual work, on a set schedule, in order for Exxon to retain these valuable leases. The result — more than a thousand people working at Point. Thomson this spring.

After putting Alaskans to work at Point Thomson, the Parnell administration made truly historic progress by hammering out a new path forward as AK LNG with the three major producers and pipeline builder TransCanada. The state's independent experts helped us understand how Alaska could extract the most value from the project without taking on undue risk. With that economic analysis in hand, my administration negotiated a seat at the table for the state as a fully equal co-owner of the total project. My administration negotiated key off-ramps for the state if we feel Alaskan interests are no longer being met. Equally important, we secured the right for the state to continue with the project on its own if industry backs out.

We formed the Alaska Gasline Development Corporation to carry the state's interest. As an owner, Alaska will chart our own course without being beholden to the companies.

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I was proud of the overwhelmingly positive, bipartisan support from the Legislature in April – clearly, this structure was considered in Alaska's best interests by Democrats and Republicans. For the first time in our history, the state and all the parties necessary to make a project go are aligned.

This historic alignment is paying dividends already. Last week, the state and Japan signed an agreement paving the way for a partnership involving natural gas.

Frankly, as many years as Bill Walker has spent following oil and gas issues, I expected him to have a better understanding of AK LNG and the remarkable position the state is now in. Instead, he's threatening a historic project poised to deliver on a long-held Alaska dream. I want to see that dream realized, and I'll protect the progress my administration has made.

When Bill Walker takes a position, he's demonstrated a willingness to switch it. That risky behavior, the "speak first, think later" mentality, in a potential governor chills private sector investment and can easily kill Alaska's gas line project.

Alaska doesn't have the luxury of allowing Walker to figure out who he really is, and whether he really means what he says. No one wants to do business with a man who so readily changes his mind, based on the prevailing political winds.

Alaskans know who I am, and what I stand for. I've been true to my word from Day 1, and I pledge to honor Alaska's trust by maintaining a strong, steady course toward prosperity and opportunity.

Sean Parnell is Alaska's governor and is running for re-election as the incumbent.

The views expressed here are the writer's own and are not necessarily endorsed by Alaska Dispatch News, which welcomes a broad range of viewpoints. To submit a piece for consideration, email commentary(at)alaskadispatch.com.

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