Obama taps ex-Palin aide to oversee natgas project

Here's the announcement from the White House about Persily's appointment:

"Larry Persily has worked for more than a decade on oil and gas issues for three Alaska governors and the Alaska State Legislature. Mr. Persily currently is an aide handling oil and gas issues for to Alaska State House Finance Committee Co-Chair Mike Hawker. Mr. Persily previously served as Deputy Commissioner at the Alaska Department of Revenue until 2003 and returned in 2004 to assist the state and North Slope oil and gas producers with developing a natural gas pipeline to serve North American consumers. He later worked in the Office of the Governor of Alaska in Washington, D.C., assisting with oil and gas, Arctic, commerce, transportation and tax issues. Mr. Persily has represented the state at oil and gas conferences and presented on Alaska oil and gas and fiscal issues. Mr. Persily is known statewide for his bipartisan credentials — he has worked for Democrats and Republicans — and his knowledge on oil and gas matters, particularly the history of the 40-year effort to develop a North Slope natural gas pipeline. Mr. Persily served as editor of the Department of Revenue’s 2002 report, "State Financial Participation in an Alaska Natural Gas Pipeline." Mr. Persily earned a B.A. from Purdue University."

Sen. Mark Begich, D-Alaska, released this statement: "With more than 30 years experience in Alaska and more than a decade working on oil and gas issues for three governors, Larry is an excellent choice for this important position. Few people can match his depth of knowledge and history on Alaska oil and gas issues.
"From his work in the news business, the legislative branch, the executive branch, and with various governmental agencies, Larry is known statewide for his bipartisan credentials and his wealth of experience working toward developing a natural gas pipeline to serve Alaska and other North American consumers.
"Larry has been a presenter on Alaska oil and gas and financial issues throughout Alaska, Washington and Norway. He served as the editor of the Department of Revenue’s 2002 report, ‘State Financial Participation in an Alaska Natural Gas Pipeline,’ and has consulted on energy and fiscal issues for the University of Alaska Institute for Social and Economic Research.