From Erika Bolstad in Washington D.C. –

The Republican who heads up the federal agency overseeing the construction of Alaska's proposed natural gas pipeline is stepping down.

Drue Pearce, a former Alaska Senate president, was asked by President Barack Obama to step down from the small agency, known as the Office of the Federal Coordinator. Here’s a statement from her:

"It has been an honor to stand up a new federal agency and to serve as the first Federal Coordinator. I am a passionate supporter of the agency’s mission to bring Alaska natural gas to North American markets. I leave an effective and efficient agency with a highly skilled team of professionals actively pursuing our mission. It has been a profound privilege to lead this innovative team," Pearce said

Pearce served from 2001 to 2006 as the senior adviser to the Secretary of the Interior for Alaska Affairs until she was appointed as federal coordinator. There has been an ongoing dispute over whether Pearce, a political appointee, could continue in the job under the Obama Administration.

As the only Democrat in the Alaska Congressional delegation, it'll be up to Sen. Mark Begich to recommend a replacement.