ALASKA:Gov. Bill Walker named A.J. “Joey” Merrick II to complete the seven-member board that’s helping head up state efforts to complete a $50 billion gas pipeline project, filling a seat that has been open for months.Walker has taken heat lately from Republican lawmakers who say he’s threatening to delay the public-private venture as he seeks changes to the plans.Expert questions Gov. Walker’s proposal for a backup gas line project
Shortly after assuming office early this year, Walker fired three members of the Alaska Gasline Development Corporation board.The board is heading up the state’s efforts on two gasline projects that would tap natural gas on the North Slope, the Alaska Stand-Alone Pipeline and the larger Alaska LNG project that involves the state along with BP, ConocoPhillips, ExxonMobil and pipeline builder TransCanada.
This spring, the Republican-led Legislature stripped away money that could be used to advance the smaller line, so AGDC is now focused on the larger project. The Legislature in April confirmed Walker appointments Rick Halford of Dillingham and Hugh Short of Girdwood. But lawmakers rejected the appointment of former Democratic Sen. Joe Paskvan.Walker has not proposed a new member for the seventh seat until now.
