(Palmer) - Alaska Senator Scott Ogan (R- Rural Mat-Su/Chugiak) has been elected to chair The Energy Council, an international organization of elected legislators from ten states, three Canadian Provinces and Venezuela. The election was held at the group's 2003 annual meeting in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Senator Ogan has been a key member of the state's Resource and Oil and Gas Committees since 1995, his first term in the House of Representatives, and is currently the chairman of the Senate Resources Committee. He has represented Alaska at the Energy Council since 1997.

Following the unanimous vote naming him Chairman for 2003-2004, Ogan said, "It is my honor to represent the State of Alaska and serve as the Chairman of The Energy Council for the coming year. Over the course of this year, we will be discussing issues of importance to Alaskans and to all the constituents of the Energy Council's states and provinces."

The 2003-2004 Strategic Plan, which Ogan has prepared for the Council, addresses energy markets, technology and environmental concerns. Topics relating to these themes will be explored at quarterly conferences.

"It will be a busy year," Ogan said. "It's a particular pleasure to be hosting the Energy Council's next Annual Meeting in Anchorage in September 2004," he remarked. Additionally, Ogan will preside over an energy forum held jointly with the Pacific NorthWest Economic Region (PNWER) in July 2004 in Victoria, British Columbia.

The Energy Council was formed in 1975 and includes the states of Alaska, Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. The Canadian Provinces of Alberta, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador also participate along with Venezuela. Together the member states and provinces produce more than 80 percent of the oil and gas in their respective countries.

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