Energy

Walker appoints 2 new members to state gas line board

Gov. Bill Walker announced Monday the addition of two new members to the Alaska Gasline Development Board, including a former president of Alyeska Pipeline Service Co., David Wight.

During an oil and gas career lasting four decades, Wight served from 2000 to 2006 as president of the company that manages the trans-Alaska pipeline, the governor's office said.

Wight, an Anchorage resident, replaces former Republican Senate President Rick Halford, who said he was not seeking another stint after his term ended Tuesday. Halford said Friday he believes the $55 billion Alaska LNG project the gas line corporation is pursuing is not economically viable now.

The governor also appointed Warren Christian of North Pole to the seven-member board, filling the seat that had belonged to former Fairbanks Mayor Luke Hopkins. Hopkins resigned in May to avoid politicizing the board following his decision to run as a Democratic challenger to Sen. John Coghill, R-North Pole.

Christian is president of Doyon Associated LLC, partially owned by a Native corporation subsidiary. Christian is a former welder and pipefitter with more than three decades' experience in construction and oil field work.

Vice-chair Hugh Short was reappointed after his term expired Tuesday. Short, a resident of Girdwood, is president of Pt Capital.

Christian is scheduled to serve on the board until September 2018. Wight and Short are scheduled to serve until September 2021.

Board members are not paid but they get a $400 stipend and are reimbursed for expenses on days when they work for the state.

Alex DeMarban

Alex DeMarban is a longtime Alaska journalist who covers business, the oil and gas industries and general assignments. Reach him at 907-257-4317 or alex@adn.com.

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