Alaska State Legislature
News from the Senate and House Majorities

Wendy Lindskoog (907) 465-4582
Jerry Ritter (907) 465-3804
State Capitol
Juneau, AK 99801
Phone:
http://www.akrepublicans.org
Actuality Line: 1-800-478-6540

Legislators to Press Alaska’s Case on Energy Issues

Alaska Delegation Attends Energy Council in D.C.

For Immediate Release: March 13, 1998 Contact: Stephanie Szymanski, Assistant to Senator Drue Pearce, at (202) 638-5900.

Juneau -- To influence the formation of federal energy and related environmental policy, an Alaska delegation will leave Friday for Washington, D.C. where The Energy Council holds its annual spring conference. Legislators from Alaska and nine other energy producing states, the Canadian province of Alberta and the nation of Venezuela will participate in The Energy Council’s Federal Energy and Environmental Matters Conference March 14-17, 1998.

Senator Drue Pearce, Co-chair of the Alaska Senate Finance Committee is the senior member of Alaska’s delegation, said this meeting represents an important opportunity for energy producing states to promote dialogue with energy leaders at all levels of industry and government.

Member states of The Energy Council include Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, and Wyoming -- accounting for more than 80 percent of U.S. oil and gas production.

"Alaska legislators need to capitalize on this opportunity to contribute to the formation of energy policy. We will also have an opportunity to inform and educate members of Congress and the Clinton Administration about Alaskan issues," Pearce said. "The direction taken on these issues will make or break our state’s long-term ability to provide jobs for Alaskans and fuel for our nation."

The Alaska Delegation will include Senators Drue Pearce and Loren Leman and Representatives Joe Green, Scott Ogan, and Gary Davis.

"With so many important energy issues in the hands of the federal government, it is essential Alaskans go to D.C. and press our state’s case to policy makers," said Senate President Mike Miller.

The Energy Council achieves its work primarily through four annual conferences and through extensive coalition-building efforts. The conferences include:

• The Federal Energy and Environmental Matters Conference -- Washington, D.C. in the spring.
• The State Trends in Energy and the Environment Conference -- June.
• The Annual Meeting -- September.
• The Global Energy and Environmental Matters Conference -- December.

Senate President Mike Miller noted that to accommodate conference dates and to give legislators, not attending the conference, the opportunity to return home to their constituents for town meetings, the Senate and House will not have session March 16 and 17.

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