June 2009 Vol. 236 No. 6

In The News

Admiral Barrett Hired By Alaskan Project Coordinators Office

Federal Coordinator Drue Pearce, Office of the Federal Coordinator for Alaska Natural Gas Transportation Projects (OFC), has named Vice Admiral Thomas Barrett, USCG (Ret.), as her deputy federal coordinator.

Barrett is currently Deputy Secretary of the Department of Transportation. Barrett lived in Alaska 14 years which included being the Coast Guard Commander from 1999 to 2002. As Deputy, he will work with the Pearce to direct the activities and authorities vested in the OFC and also manage the critical Alaska field office.

Barrett has served since Aug. 8, 2007 as Deputy Secretary of Transportation. Previously he was the first administrator of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA).and directed the agency’s national program for protecting against risks to life and property inherent in the transportation of hazardous materials in commerce and the transportation of liquid, natural gas, petroleum, and other hazardous liquids by pipeline.

“The Alaska natural gas pipeline is a project that has been 30 years in the making. As President Obama has said, moving forward with this project is part of a comprehensive energy strategy. The United States has an abundant source of natural gas on Alaska’s North Slope that we should deliver to Alaskans and Americans in the lower 48 states,” said Barrett.

The OFC has also hired an Environmental Engineer, Christa Gunn, who works in the Alaska field office. She has 10 years experience in the energy and environment sectors working as a civilian with the U.S. Air Force.