Alaska Natural Gas Transportation Projects
Encyclopedia
The Office of the Federal Coordinator, Alaska Natural Gas Transportation Projects is an independent agency of the U.S. government
. Congress
created the Office in the Alaska Natural Gas Pipeline Act of 2004.
The intent of that law is to help ease forward a multibillion-dollar Alaska natural gas pipeline project that would deliver North Slope gas to consumers in the 48 contiguous states.
Congress directed the Office of the Federal Coordinator to expedite and coordinate federal permitting for construction of a pipeline. The Office coordinates with over 20 federal agencies, the Canadian federal government, the State of Alaska, tribal governments and other stakeholders.
With some exceptions, the law empowers the Office to prohibit a federal agency from including “in any certificate, right-of-way, permit, lease, or other authorization issued to an Alaska natural gas transportation project any term or condition that may be permitted, but is not required, by any applicable law,” if the term or condition would prevent or significantly impair construction, operation or expansion of the natural gas pipeline project.
The Federal Coordinator (director of the agency) is nominated with advice and consent of the Senate
by the President of the United States
. Drue Pearce was the first federal coordinator; she was nominated by George W. Bush
and served from December 12, 2006 through January 3, 2010. Larry Persily
is the current coordinator; Barack Obama
nominated him on December 9, 2009, and was confirmed by the United States Senate on March 10, 2010.
Federal government of the United States
The federal government of the United States is the national government of the constitutional republic of fifty states that is the United States of America. The federal government comprises three distinct branches of government: a legislative, an executive and a judiciary. These branches and...
. Congress
United States Congress
The United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Congress meets in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C....
created the Office in the Alaska Natural Gas Pipeline Act of 2004.
The intent of that law is to help ease forward a multibillion-dollar Alaska natural gas pipeline project that would deliver North Slope gas to consumers in the 48 contiguous states.
Congress directed the Office of the Federal Coordinator to expedite and coordinate federal permitting for construction of a pipeline. The Office coordinates with over 20 federal agencies, the Canadian federal government, the State of Alaska, tribal governments and other stakeholders.
With some exceptions, the law empowers the Office to prohibit a federal agency from including “in any certificate, right-of-way, permit, lease, or other authorization issued to an Alaska natural gas transportation project any term or condition that may be permitted, but is not required, by any applicable law,” if the term or condition would prevent or significantly impair construction, operation or expansion of the natural gas pipeline project.
The Federal Coordinator (director of the agency) is nominated with advice and consent of the Senate
Advice and consent
Advice and consent is an English phrase frequently used in enacting formulae of bills and in other legal or constitutional contexts, describing a situation in which the executive branch of a government enacts something previously approved of by the legislative branch.-General:The expression is...
by the President of the United States
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
. Drue Pearce was the first federal coordinator; she was nominated by George W. Bush
George W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
and served from December 12, 2006 through January 3, 2010. Larry Persily
Larry Persily
Larry Persily is the current "Federal Coordinator" of the Alaska Natural Gas Transportation Projects. The Federal Coordinator is nominated with advice and consent of the Senate by the President of the United States...
is the current coordinator; Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
nominated him on December 9, 2009, and was confirmed by the United States Senate on March 10, 2010.