THE LINK: JULY 2023 31 A great Safety Award or Retirement Gift! AVAILABLE IN BOTH HARDBOUND AND SOFT COVER EDITIONS (907) 223-4704 | judypatrickphotography.com Also available in bulk quantities! A COFFEE TABLE PHOTO BOOK OF ALASKA’S NORTH SLOPE OIL PATCH ON SALE NOW! ever found in the U.S. Prudhoe Bay’s discovery was a watershed moment for Alaska. It led to the state’s highest highs and lowest lows. It provided the state with so much excess money that to this day, every Alaskan gets a check for more than $1,000 each year. When Prudhoe Bay’s discovery was announced, all Alaska’s leaders knew was that the state would never be the same. “Alaska has become established as America’s greatest oil province,” Egan said in a 1970 speech. “Ponder for a moment the promise, the dream, and the touch of destiny.” Finding Prudhoe Bay came down to a few things going exactly right. If the companies hadn’t decided to drill that one last well, if they hadn’t found enough oil, and if Marshall hadn’t pushed the governor to select the land in the first place, there’s no question the state would be very different. Marshall’s not one to brag about his contribution, though. He said he was just doing his job. But that’s not to say Marshall doesn’t get any satisfaction out of it. Asked if it still bothers him that so many people doubted him for so long, Marshall burst out laughing. “Oh, not at all, because they were so wrong!” said Marshall. “I mean, let’s face it — Prudhoe Bay oil field was the largest oil field ever discovered on the North American continent. Why should I feel bad about that?” Elizabeth Harball reports for Alaska Public Media. This story is part of a new podcast, Midnight Oil, produced by Alaska’s Energy Desk, a public media collaboration focused on energy and the environment Finding Prudhoe Bay came down to a few things going exactly right. If the companies hadn’t decided to drill that one last well, if they hadn’t found enough oil, and if Marshall hadn’t pushed the governor to select the land in the first place, there’s no question the state would be very different. Marshall’s not one to brag about his contribution, though. He said he was just doing his job.
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