A Citizen’s Guide

Senate President Ben Stevens, R-Anchorage, isn’t a big fan of having an open discussion on the pros and cons of a proposed natural gas pipeline contract.

During the ongoing roundtable discussion with the administration, the major oil companies and consultants hired by the Legislature, Stevens complained to committee chairman Sen. Ralph Seekins, R-Fairbanks, that the consultants shouldn’t be allowed to ask questions.

Seekins reportedly just nodded in response to Stevens’ complaint, and the consultants appear to still be asking questions and rebutting claims by the administration and the producers.

Stevens has complained several times during the special session about the role the Legislature’s own consultants have played in the gas contract debate and the fact that they’ve consistently disagreed with his pro-administration position.

Stevens isn’t the only one getting a little hot under the collar at today’s hearing of the special committee. Jim Clark, the governor’s chief of staff, became upset after the consultants brought up the issue of the producers being able to control the gas basin on the North Slope through their ownership of the pipeline.

Clark called the comment a “serious accusation,” but that didn’t stop them from having a lengthy discussion on the topic.