Some Thoughts on Judge Gleason’s Recent Decision on TAPS Life

I was the speaker at this week’s Thursday morning meeting of the Alaska Support Industry Alliance.  The subject was Judge Gleason’s recent decision on TAPS — what the decision says, and more importantly does not say.  Since its issuance, the decision has been the subject of a great deal of political spin.  See, e.g., “Paskvan says court ruling shows bright future for Alaska oil development,” Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, Dec. 31, 2011.  I believe the spin is unfounded and explained why in the Alliance presentation.  The slide deck from the presentation is here.