For the first time since 1983, an oil well was drilled in Point Thompson on May 8, 2009. ExxonMobil informed Governor Palin’s administration at 2:30 AM Alaska Daylight Time that drilling began (Point Thomson, 2009, ¶1). The administration and the state enforced contracts that ExxonMobil had entered into to drill on this land. The company originally was going to default on that contract, which would have resulted in no drilling at the site.
“Today’s action shows that our perseverance is paying off. We congratulate ExxonMobil on their successful efforts, and commend them for fulfilling their recent commitments to the state,” Governor Palin said (Point Thomson, 2009, ¶1).
“ExxonMobil spudded the well on one of the two leases they were allowed to continue to hold under a conditional decision in January by Natural Resources Commissioner Tom Irwin. Development of the state’s resources at Point Thomson has long been a goal for the state” (Point Thomson, 2009, ¶2).
Commentary
Governor Palin is one of the precious few in elected office who understand the importance of domestic energy production. It would have been all too easy for the state to ignore these contracts (inertia) or to engage in some corrupt activity with ExxonMobil — as many other governors or state officials would have done. Instead, Governor Palin ensured that ExxonMobil fullfilled its contractual requirements to the state of Alaska. Point Thomson is now being drilled for the first time in nearly 26 years.
Governor Palin is a subject matter expert on energy production, generation, transmission and distribution. She chaired both the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission and the Alaska Conservation Commission — positions where she used and further developed this expertise.
References
Governor hails drilling at Point Thomson. (2009, May 8). State of Alaska, Governor. Retrieved May 9, 2009 from: http://www.gov.state.ak.us/news.php?id=1825
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