Congratulations to Senator Peter Micciche on his election as Majority Leader. Now he is one of the most powerful people in Alaska.
A classic oilfield bumper sticker cries out, “God, please give us one more oil boom! We promise we won’t blow it this time!” Well, Caelus Energy’s recent six-billion-barrel Smith Bay discovery might be that oil boom.
As the de facto leader of the Senate, will Peter resist efforts to reform our shameful oil production tax/credit system which forces Alaskans to pay for most of the cost of drilling new wells but which only allows us to receive income from these wells years later, as production declines?
Or will he become a genuine statesman and set his personal political interests aside and help formulate different taxes and credits that will not only satisfy Caelus shareholders but which will also help us grow the Permanent Fund into an endowment capable of financing state government?
In a very real sense, the future of our state is in his hands. How will Peter respond to this test of his integrity and courage?
Eric Treider
Soldotna
