Gubernatorial Candidate Debate:

Ethan Berkowitz

Governor Sean Parnell

This event was co-sponsored by the Alaska Forest Association, the
Alaska Miners Association, the Alaska Support Industry Alliance, and RDC

Moderated by John Sturgeon and Jason Brune

To view a video of a specific question, please select from the following:

Opening Remarks

Question 1:
In 2008 the Forest Service completed a revision to their Tongass Land Management Plan. The agency also prepared a 5-year timber sale schedule to implement that plan. The 5-year schedule proposed about 140 mmbf of timber sales annually. The agency also proposed to prepare and offer four timber sales each with a ten-year term and an annual average volume of 15 to 20 mmbf. In May and August of 2010 the agency announced, respectively, a Transition Plan and a revised 5-year schedule that would halt all timber sales in roadless areas and would drastically reduce the volume of timber to be offered over the next five years. What actions will you take to insure full implementation of the land management plan and to honor the original 5-year timber sale schedule and the ten-year timber sales?

Question 2:
In 1990, Congress eliminated the mandatory timber sale target for the Tongass. Since that time, the federal timber sale offerings and industry employment have dropped to about 10% of the pre-1990 levels. Meanwhile, the State has maintained its timber sale program at the maximum sustainable level, but the State controls only 2% of the timberlands in the region. Many people now believe that in order to have a reliable, long-term timber supply for a viable manufacturing industry in Southeast Alaska; the State would have to take over management of about 1.5 million acre (10%) of the Tongass. Will you take action to transfer management of sufficient Tongass timberlands to supply timber a viable timber industry?

Question 3:
Currently 40% of the employment for the timber industry in Southeast Alaska comes from Alaska native lands. This employment will be lost if Sealaska is not allowed to complete its ANCSA land selections from a more economically viable pool of timberlands. Do you support S 881/HR2099 legislation that would finalize Sealaska’s ANCSA land entitlement? Please also comment on your opinion of the public process surrounding this proposed legislation. Brune: The next series of questions will focus on Alaska’s mining industry.

Question 4:
Alaska is home to a number of mines, from Red Dog to Greens Creek, Kensington to Pogo, Fort Knox to Usibelli. However, Alaska continues to fall on the international surveys that rank Alaska’s investment climate. What will you do as governor to bring more mining investment to Alaska?

Question 5:
50% of this nation’s electricity is generated through the burning of coal, and worldwide demand is increasing as well. In fact, 70% of China runs on coal. It is estimated that Alaska may have half of all the coal in the United States. Do you support development of Alaska’s private, federal, and state coals for both domestic use as well as for export markets?

Question 6:
Mr. Berkowitz, you are on the record as opposing Pebble, saying the state’s permitting system is not adequate. Specifically, what part of the permitting process does not work? Governor Parnell, you have said it would be premature to pass judgment on Pebble because there is not yet a development plan on the table. However, you did not veto the $750,000 study requested by the legislature this past session that seems to duplicate the current NEPA and state permitting processes. Interestingly, the study's prime legislative sponsor indicated last month he was unfamiliar with the review requirements of the NEPA and state permitting process. As governor, how will you re-establish legislative confidence in the state's permitting process?

Question 7:
Both of you have recently proposed changes to Alaska’s oil tax and/or royalty regime. Please outline your ideas, including your timeline and specific actions you will take to ensure your plan comes to fruition during the next legislature.

Question 8:
On Monday of this week, it was reported that no additional drilling was expected at Point Thomson until the winter of 2013-14 due to a hold-up with an authorization from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The Corps and EPA are also responsible for stopping development from proceeding earlier this year at ConocoPhillips’ CD-5 in NPR-A. Further, BOEMRE and President Obama have maintained their moratorium on Alaska’s OCS. As governor, what will you do to convince the federal government to allow Alaskans to proceed on these proposed projects?

Question 9:
The Financial Times of London recently stated, “"The decision to build an Alaska pipeline will be based on the fiscal certainties provided by Alaska and how competitive the gas will be against that being produced in the Lower 48 states through shale and other unconventional extraction methods." At the same time, a report by Platts referenced an industry vice president who stated that the Alaska Gas Line Inducement Act process is not enough to get a pipeline built. In your opinion, what additionally needs to be done by the state of Alaska to commercialize Alaska’s vast natural gas resources?

Question 10:
Alaska has a poorly developed infrastructure, and much of the state is only readily accessed for subsistence, recreational, and economic uses via air or its navigable waterways. Under the Alaska Statehood Act, Submerged Lands Act, and Equal Footing Doctrine, Alaska entered the Union on par with all other states in the ownership and management of its navigable waterways. Recently, the Department of the Interior agencies began asserting management authority over those navigable waters. For example, the National Park Service has been enforcing State and NPS regulations off park lands on the Yukon River itself, which is clearly a navigable trans-boundary river. Similarly, this month the Fish and Wildlife Service announced that fishermen in Togiak National Wildlife Refuge must apply for limited permits to float the clearly navigable (state owned) Goodnews and Kanektok rivers, and the Service intends to use this process to limit public access on other rivers in Alaska. The Bureau of Land Management recently refused to disclaim ownership interest in the Stikine River, another clearly navigable, state-owned waterway. As governor, what legal and administrative steps will you take to protect the state’s ownership and management of its navigable waterways that are so important for the use, enjoyment, and economic needs of all citizens of Alaska?

Question 11:
The current State cruise ship discharge permit authorizes the use of mixing zones, which is standard for all water permits. However, the cruise ship permit will expire during the next term. If elected Governor, what will you do to ensure the State of Alaska will have a regulatory environment that not only protects our water but is reasonable and provides a level of certainty to those wishing to operate in our state?

Question 12:
Industry depends on qualified state permitters who are key to projects moving forward in a timely and legally defendable fashion. As governor, what will you do to enhance the recruitment and retention of State of Alaska permitters?

Question 13:
We’ve seen very recently how Lt. Governors can become Governor in Alaska. Tell us a little bit about your running mate. If elected, what will you charge them with other than overseeing elections and watching out for the state seal?

The following multiple choice questions are one video:

MC Question 1: Do you support opening the Coastal Plain of ANWR to responsible oil and gas exploration and development? Yes No Undecided
MC Question 2: Do you support opening NPR-A to mineral entry? Yes, No, Undecided
MC Question 3: Do you support new wilderness designations in either ANWR or NPRA, as is currently being considered by federal regulators? Yes No Undecided
MC Question 4: How did you vote on the 2006 cruise ship head tax initiative 4 years ago? Yes No Prefer not to say
MC Question 5: How did you vote on the 2006 gas reserves tax initiative? Yes No Prefer not to say
MC Question 6: How did you vote on the 2008 clean water initiative? Yes No Prefer not to say
MC Question 7: How will you vote on Ballot Measure 1, a constitutional amendment proposing to increase the size of the legislature? Yes, No, Haven’t made my mind up yet
MC Question 8: Do you support a percent of market value or POMV management system for the Alaska Permanent Fund? Yes, No, Undecided

Both candidate's had the opportunity to ask their opponent one resource development related question.

Audience questions (all one video).

Each candidate had three minutes to share his closing remarks.