The U.S. Senate today confirmed Larry Persily as federal coordinator for Alaska natural gas transportation projects.

Persily, a longtime Alaskan, was nominated to the post by President Barack Obama late last year.

Persily has a long history in Alaska and with oil and gas matters. His background includes years in Alaska journalism, time as a deputy commissioner for the Department of Revenue, and a short time working on federal issues for Gov. Sarah Palin. He is now staff to Rep. Mike Hawker, an Anchorage Republican who serves as co-chairman of the House Finance Committee.

During his years in state government, Persily earned a reputation as a knowledgeable facilitator with a talent for transcending party lines. He's served as an ombudsman of sorts in Hawker's office, standing as the Legislature's resident expert on oil and gas issues, among others.

Republican Drue Pearce served as federal coordinator until asked to step down by the Obama administration. The job is a political appointment, and Persily is a Democrat.

The role is one that could grow quickly in scope as two separate pipeline projects plan open seasons this year. Once a project has commitments for line capacity, the federal coordinator will work with a number of federal agencies to keep permitting running smoothly. The job could be even more involved -- returning from a trip to Washington, D.C., this week, several lawmakers who met with Obama staff said the president may want Persily to take a more active policy role in advancing a natural gas pipeline.

Persily wasn't sure about a new direction from the White House, figuring that could come once he's in position. That could be within a week or two, he said.

"I'm excited, but now I'm actually starting to get nervous," he said.

His departure date may be influenced by the progress of a couple key issues he's working on for Hawker midway through the legislative session. At the top of those is a bill called the Cook Inlet Recovery Act that provides for natural gas storage and production incentives in Southcentral.

Hawker hasn't minced words in talking about how dramatically Persily's loss will be felt in the state Capitol.

U.S. Sen. Mark Begich, who recommended Persily for the post, issued this statement on the confirmation:

"Larry's confirmation is great news in the effort to develop Alaska's natural gas resources and take the gas line from vision and hope to reality. With more than three decades of experience in Alaska and more than a decade working on oil and gas issues, Larry is uniquely qualified to take this position, work with the White House on behalf of Alaskans, and get Alaska's gas to market.

"The White House has indicated once Larry takes his job, President Obama wants to elevate the coordinator's office into his executive office to further advance the Alaska gasline project.

"As open season continues in Alaska, I look forward to working with Larry to find a clear path toward construction of this project, which is clearly in America's national interest."