Published: April 21, 2007 10:22 pm      

Bode to resign post

EDMOND — OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Corporation Commissioner Denise Bode said Friday she is resigning effective May 31 to lead a new natural gas foundation in Washington, D.C.

Bode, a Republican, said she is in the process of forming the American Clean Skies Foundation, which will be part of the national energy debate.

“Today, there is a national debate on climate change and energy,” she said. “We see policymakers promoting alternative fuels such as wind, solar, biofuels and nuclear. These are all legitimate alternatives yet none can offer energy in great abundance at a reasonable price any time soon.

“We intend to make natural gas not only part of the debate, but the solution.”

She said she has served notice that until her resignation is effective, she will not hear matters that come before the Corporation Commission involving Chesapeake or other companies that will be part of her foundation.

Bode said she was determined to “aggressively advocate for Oklahoma’s No. 1 industry at the national level,” noting that natural gas taxes added $812 million to the state government budget in 2006.

Democratic Gov. Brad Henry will name a replacement for Bode, who was appointed to the commission in 1997 by former GOP Gov. Frank Keating.

Her current term expires in 2010, meaning her successor will have to face election for two years of her unexpired term in 2008.

Before her appointment by Keating, she was president of the Independent Petroleum Association of American in Washington, where her husband, John, is an attorney. She previously was legal counsel for former U.S. Sen. David Boren, focusing on energy and taxes.