September 13, 2011
Regulatory Commission of Alaska
701 W 8th Avenue Ste 300
Anchorage, AK 99501
Re: Tariff revision TA211-4
Dear Commissioners Giard, Lisankie, Patch, Pickett, and Wilson:
The Resource Development Council for Alaska, Inc. (RDC) is writing to express its support of Enstar’s request to the Commission for approval of a Gas Sales Agreement (GSA) with Buccaneer Alaska, LLC.
RDC is a statewide business association comprised of individuals and companies from Alaska’s oil and gas, mining, forest products, tourism and fisheries industries. RDC’s membership includes Alaska Native Corporations, local communities, organized labor, and industry support firms. RDC’s purpose is to encourage a strong, diversified private sector in Alaska and expand the state’s economic base through the responsible development of our natural resources.
The proposed GSA with Buccaneer can provide a new supply of gas to Southcentral Alaska at a reasonable price, given the Cook Inlet market conditions. Southcentral residents rely on Enstar for their natural gas needs year-round. They need to know that their homes will remain heated in the coldest and darkest months of the year, and approval of this GSA will help provide that certainty.
RDC is extremely supportive of providing opportunities for new exploration and production in Alaska. The approval of the Buccaneer GSA will commit them to drilling two additional wells in the near future, and likely will encourage further exploration and development with other new players, and will also help facilitate exploration for new gas reserves. In addition, jobs associated with this development will significantly benefit Southcentral Alaska’s economy while providing new energy supplies to its residents.
Thank you for the opportunity to comment on this important issue.
Sincerely,
Resource Development Council for Alaska, Inc.
