Natural resources boss gets job back --
IRWIN: Murkowski removed him for disputing gas line talks; now Palin has reappointed him.
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By ANNE SUTTON, The Associated Press
Published: February 10, 2007
Last Modified: February 10, 2007 at 02:00 AM
JUNEAU -- A former head of the state's Natural Resources Department who was forced from his position when he criticized Gov. Frank Murkowski's contract negotiations for a natural gas pipeline is back on the job.
Gov. Sarah Palin on Friday announced the appointment of Tom Irwin as commissioner of the Department of Natural Resources.
Marty Rutherford, who has served as acting commissioner since Palin took office, was named deputy commissioner.
Palin said Irwin is the right man for the job.
"Tom has the experience, talent and know-how to manage Alaska's resources and bring those resources, including Alaska's gas reserves, to market," Palin said in a prepared statement.
Palin said Rutherford, who is drafting legislation to guide the governor's gas line negotiations, will continue to lead her gas line team.
Irwin, who was appointed commissioner in January 2003, was asked to resign in October 2005 after he wrote a memo questioning the legality of state concessions to oil producers during contract negotiations for a natural gas pipeline from the North Slope.
Rutherford and five other high-ranking department officials quit in protest of Irwin's ouster.
Republican leaders in the Legislature tried to convince Murkowski not to let Irwin go, saying his departure could adversely affect future pipeline talks and damage public opinion of the administration.
Sen. Tom Wagoner, R-Kenai, who co-chaired Senate Resources Committee hearings on gas line and oil tax issues last year, said he "wanted to do back flips" over news of Irwin's reappointment.
"I think he has great integrity," Wagoner said. "Two years ago, when this flap happened between him and the governor, I thought he was right. I supported him then and I support him now. I think he'll do a good job."
Wagoner, now a member of the Senate minority, said he did not foresee problems with Irwin's confirmation.
Rep. Les Gara, D-Anchorage, also had high praise for Irwin, although he voted against his confirmation four years ago.
"He won me over with his conduct. I thought he didn't have any of the prejudices I feared he was going to have. I thought he was really a strong commissioner," Gara said.
Judy Brady, director of the Alaska Oil and Gas Association, said Irwin and Rutherford made a strong and experienced team, and she did not foresee serious concerns from the producers over Irwin's past criticism of the process.
"His criticism was in the context of a part of that negotiation, and we're in a new world now," Brady said. "If everybody is working for the same goal, then it's just a matter of working through what's possible."
Irwin is currently working as vice president of government and public affairs for Golden Valley Electric Co.
He also led Palin's transition team for the department. |
