November 2009 Vol. 236 No. 11

Government

Alaska Natural Gas Coordinator Drue Pearce Steps Down

Federal Coordinator for Alaska Natural Gas Transportation Project Drue Pearce announced Nov. 16 that she will be stepping down from her position in accordance with a request from President Obama.

Pearce said, “It has been an honor to stand up a new federal agency and to serve as the first Federal Coordinator. I am a passionate supporter of the agency’s mission to bring Alaska natural gas to North American markets. I leave an effective and efficient agency with a highly skilled team of professionals actively pursuing our mission. It has been a profound privilege to lead this innovative team.”

The resignation takes effect Jan. 3, 2010. Vice Admiral Thomas Barrett, USCG (Ret.), the deputy federal coordinator, will hold the position until a new coordinator is appointed by the president. The announcement did not detail any reason why Pearce’s resignation had been requested.