Let’s hear it from the oil companies first

I read the article “Dunleavy reluctant to consider oil taxes” in the Aug. 21 issue of the Clarion and noted that Sen. Mark Begich has stated oil industry leaders have expressed no interest in leaving the state. That’s not surprising considering their investments here, but does he mean even if taxes on oil or other fossil fuels are increased dramatically? I don’t know.

So I’d like to hear that publicly from the fossil fuel execs themselves before we believe Sen. Begich’s statements about these private companies. Otherwise, he’s just guessing how much taxation they will tolerate before they might pull the plug, even if only partially.

— Dave Peck, Kenai