Walker will put Alaska first

To the editor:

My name is Dave Dengel, and I worked for the city of Valdez for 15 years. For seven of these years I served as the Valdez City Manager. I worked closely with Bill Walker on many issues. One issue was the development of Alaska’s gas for the benefit of all Alaskans.

Bill was instrumental in the formation of the Alaska Gasline Port Authority. The Port Authority’s highest priority is to bring economical energy to Alaska by exporting excess gas to the Asian market. Bill’s work on the gasline has shown that the economics and the markets are there to develop our gas on terms favorable to Alaska as well as to the industry. Bill traveled to the Asian markets with his own funds to meet with the buyers of LNG.

Some have claimed that Bill and his firm received excessive compensation for work for the Port Authority. Bill has donated a significant amount of his time in this effort. Don’t be distracted by these false claims; I can personally vouch that this just isn’t so.

Rather than attack Bill Walker, we should be thanking him for his efforts and his passion to ensure that all Alaskans benefit from a gas line.

Bill Walker has a passion for doing what’s right, no matter the personal cost. It’s time to rise above the noise, and help Bill finally put Alaska first!

Dave Dengel

Valdez