Harry Noah resigned on Wednesday, citing growing demands of a family farm and food processing business. But Rep. Mike Hawker, R-Anchorage, said Wednesday that he spoke with a high-ranking official in Gov. Sean Parnell's administration who confirmed Noah resigned under duress.

Contacted Wednesday afternoon, Noah declined to comment. Department of Natural Resources Commissioner Tom Irwin was unavailable for comment.

Parnell issued a statement saying he is committed to pursuing an in-state natural gas pipeline.

"Harry has been a vital part of the team, and has laid a great foundation for in-state gas line options," Parnell said. "We will keep this work moving forward."

Parnell's senior adviser on in-state energy, former Sen. Gene Therriault, is scheduled to speak about the administration's efforts at the Resource Development Council's annual meeting on Nov. 19.

A former Department of Natural Resources Commissioner, Noah was appointed by then-Gov. Sarah Palin in February to get the ball rolling on an in-state natural gas pipeline.

Hawker backs up Ramras' call for a legislative inquiry into the state's work on natural gas.

"It's particularly problematic to me that the Palin administration came to me and vigorously advocated for the funding for Harry's work, and now, before he has even completed it, other elements of the successor administration are doing everything they can to discredit and destroy the process," Hawker said.

Lawmakers approved Palin's request for about $7 million for in-state gas work during the last legislative session.

Noah was, in part, tasked with bringing together several in-state gas efforts and picking the one most likely to succeed at the best price tag. His team would acquire permits and other basics for the chosen project, then sell the build-ready project to a company or consortium.

Such a line -- likely running between the North Slope and Cook Inlet -- could flow gas by 2015 at a cost of at least $4 billion, and is considered a midterm solution to the state's energy woes as two teams contemplate a large-diameter line through Canada at a projected cost of $26 billion to $40 billion.

Ramras, a Fairbanks Republican who is running for lieutenant governor in 2010, said he's dismayed by Noah's resignation, which he attributed to sabotage by DNR leaders dedicated to the large-diameter pipeline project. There may not be enough North Slope gas to fuel an in-state line and provide assurances to potential financiers of a large-diameter line, he said.

"This fledgling attempt to provide natural gas and energy security for Alaskans has been thwarted by the people inside the Department of Natural Resources," Ramras said. "I just find it to be unconscionable behavior."

DNR officials were cited in a recent Anchorage Daily News editorial questioning the viability of in-state gas plans.

"We talk about going rogue; they have gone rogue with those editorials," Hawker said of the DNR staff. "At the end of the day, those editorials have completely compromised our work to develop an objective basis for making policy decisions related to in-state gas development."

Ramras, a passionate advocate for an in-state gas line, formerly requested the four Resource Committee co-chairmen launch legislative hearings inquiring into the matter.

In a resignation e-mail, Noah agreed to stay on until a replacement is found, or by Jan. 1, 2010.

Alaska blogger Andrew Halcro first reported Noah's apparent resignation Wednesday afternoon at his blog, www.andrewhalcro.com

Contact Rena Delbridge at rena@alaskadispatch.com.