Press Releases

Representative Kawasaki Demands Answers from BP on Potential Sale of Alaskan Assets

FAIRBANKS – Representative Scott Kawasaki called on the House to hold hearings on the British Petroleum’s (BP’s) potential sale of its Alaska assets, citing the magnitude of the implications for Alaska and the haste with which the deal is advancing as grounds for immediate action. Rumors of the sale of BP abounds, pressure for BP to sell its assets before July 27, a potential deal that will have major repercussions for all Alaskans.

“There are just too many unanswered questions about how this could affect Alaska. Local jobs and contractors, oil in the pipeline, continued safe maintenance of TAPS and the promise of a fiscally realistic gasline for all Alaskans are all at stake,” said Rep. Scott Kawasaki. “As owners of the resource, this is just too big of a deal for us to sit idly by without getting answers from BP.”

Apache and Exxon are two of the rumored companies interested in BP’s assets. Apache, a mid-size oil company known for buying oil fields and Exxon is a controversial player in Alaska’s oil industry. With the sale to either company being expedited Alaska knows little of the assurances that will be guaranteed for Alaska continued development.

“It may be BP’s assets they’re selling, in reality it’s Alaska’s soul, and we need to know who will be producing our resources and that the terms are good for Alaska,” said Rep. Kawasaki. “This sale will have huge implications for Alaskans, we demand our concerns be heard, and our questions answered immediately.”

BP owns a 26 percent share on the North Slope and is the operator in Prudhoe Bay and neighboring Alaskan fields such as Midnight Sun and Aurora. Exxon Mobil and ConocoPhillips each own the rights to 36 percent and Chevron has the rights of 2 percent of the slope. The “partners” have a right of first refusal when any company considers selling its stake.

Representative Scott Kawasaki joined along with other concerned Democratic Legislators requesting the House Resources Committee convene on the issue as soon as possible.

Contact Jos Govaars at the Friends of Scott Kawasaki for State House campaign office for more information at 590-0315.
REPRESENTATIVE KAWASAKI ANNOUNCES CAMPAIGN TEAM

REPRESENTATIVE KAWASAKI ANNOUNCES CAMPAIGN TEAM

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 4, 2010

Representative Scott Kawasaki, today, welcomed Jos Govaars from Ketchikan to manage the campaign team in his second re-election bid for the State House. Govaars will join campaign chairwoman and former City Councilmember Tonya Brown, Political Director Ian Olson and Communications Director Mike Wenstrup.

“I am very pleased to have Jos Govaars leading my campaign team.” Kawasaki said. “Jos brings the energy and experience that my campaign needs to win in November.”

Jos Govaars was born in Juneau, attended the University of Alaska Fairbanks and graduated with a degree in Business Management in 2004. Govaars has also worked for several republican political leaders during his career including Senator Dave Donley of Anchorage, Representative Jim Elkins of Ketchikan and Mayor Jim Whitaker of Fairbanks. In addition he worked as the Alaska Policy Adviser for the Tongass Conservation Society in Juneau and Ketchikan.

“Representative Kawasaki has shown himself to be a strong and principled leader during his time in office working well with both Republicans and Democrats.” Govaars said. “We need more statesmen and less politicians in Alaska, that’s why I am working to ensure the Representative wins this re-election.”

Representative Kawasaki was first elected in 2006 and re-elected in 2008 by a substantial margin. Kawasaki currently serves on the House Resources Committee, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee and the Fisheries Committee.

For more information, please contact the Scott for Alaska Campaign office at 907-590-0315 or visit us on the web at www.scottforalaska.com