Weather
Oil Tax Debate Could Cause a Special Session59 percent of poll respondents want to modify or repeal ACESRelated Content
ANCHORAGE - As a new poll measures Alaskans' sentiments about oil taxes, Governor Parnell and the Senate Bipartisan Majority are digging in on their positions, with a special session looking more likely. There's something for both sides of the oil tax debate in the new poll by Dittman Research of Anchorage. Among the 1,000 respondents statewide, 59 percent want to modify or even repeal the production tax known as ACES. But a slight plurality prefers the incremental approach being taken by the Senate bipartisan majority to the immediate, dramatic change being pursued by Governor Parnell. As the poll came out, attention at the Capitol was focused on the time remaining in the legislative session. "Earlier this session, Senator Stevens said he would assure that his majority had something out with 30 days to spare in the session,” Parnell said. “I'm very concerned that we are now 26 days out, and the senate finance committee still has the bill. They're taking public testimony on it today. But every indication I have is that bill will not be moving from Senate Finance for some time." Senate President Gary Stevens played off Parnell’s comment in a letter that the senate is hatching an empty egg with its alternative legislation for modifying ACES. "It’s not even Easter yet,” Stevens said. “We're working on that egg. And it's going to be a beautiful egg. It's going to be a real Easter egg. And we can expect it sometime in April, I think." But Senate Finance Co-Chairman Bert Stedman says it will be at least another week before a committee substitute for the bill is introduced. Parnell touted commitments from oil companies to invest billions more than currently planned if his original bill from last year is passed. "There are no investment guarantees with the senate plan. They give away about $250 million a year with no guarantees, no money even on the table at all for this giveaway." But senators say Parnell has no real commitments, either, at least at Prudhoe Bay. "It's a field that's operated by three partners, and the partners have to agree on major investments,” said Senator Hollis French, D-Anchorage. “They can do day-to-day expenses, of course; the operator is free to make day-to-day expenses. But the operating agreement is pretty clear, once you get up above a certain threshold, all three partners have to agree, and the partners are Conoco, BP and Exxon." Thus far, Exxon has made no statements about how much it might be willing to spend. And there is no obvious path to compromise between the governor and the senate. A letter to the legislature's presiding officers from the CEO of Denver-based Armstrong Oil and Gas, a partner of the Spanish firm Repsol, pledged $9 billion in North Slope investment if legislation similar to the governor's is passed. William Armstrong claims that state revenue would be increased by $18 billion with that investment. For full poll results click here.
|
This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled.
Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.
|
You have indicated this comment should be removed.
The comment has been submitted for review. Thank you .
rex said on Tuesday, Mar 20 at 8:38 PM
ACES takes care of Alaska now and in the future.Parnel is a oil sucking trader to the state of alaska.
85095044Just saying said on Wednesday, Mar 21 at 6:30 PM
well they better think about replacing the pipes in the pipeline before they burst you know...build a new one next to it, add a natural gas line...or not!
85202924bunk said on Wednesday, Mar 21 at 6:53 PM
I bet 100 percent polled have never read Aces never mind could comprehend it. They just parrot what someone has told them. Not one dollar back to the oil companies until they start producing. If they don't like it sell out, and get out.
85204924Add a comment
Most Popular