Hansen's selection to the nine-member base closure commission puts him in a powerful position on an issue key to Utah's economic future. Although he spent 22 years in the House advocating Utah's defense installations, Hansen has said his first duty as a member of the commission would be to guarantee a fair process.
"The theory behind base closings is keep as much political pressure out of it as you can," Hansen, who did not return calls Monday, said in an interview in November. "If it came down to voting against Hill, I'd move to Florida because I'd rather take the wrath of a hurricane than the wrath of voters in Weber and Davis counties."
Hansen is one of two commissioners picked by House Speaker Dennis Hastert, R-Ill. The other is Samuel Skinner, who is from Hastert's home state and was chief of staff to former President George H.W. Bush.
"The speaker has great respect for Congressman Hansen and he especially respects his integrity," said Hastert's spokesman John Feehery.
The Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) commission will provide the president and Congress with the final list of bases to be closed. The Defense Department expects to eliminate up to 25 percent of its infrastructure.
It's also a high-stakes process for the dozens of communities whose economies depend on their military bases.
Last March, the Utah Defense Alliance - a group seeking to protect Utah bases - released a University of Utah study that projected closing Hill Air Force Base would mean the loss of 47,000 jobs and a $3.6 billion hit to the state's economy.
Hansen spent 22 years on the House Armed Services Committee and was chairman of the House Resources Committee when he retired in 2002. Last year, he made an unsuccessful bid for Utah governor. Since then, he has worked in government consulting.
"Jim Hansen knows as much about the United States military as anyone," said Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch. "He has proven time and again that he is smart, level-headed and pragmatic. Jim should be an incredible asset to the commission."
There have been four base-closure rounds since 1988, resulting in the closure of 97 bases and hundreds of realignments, according to the Government Accountability Office. The closures include shutting down Fort Douglas Army Base in Salt Lake City following the 1988 round and shuttering Defense Depot Ogden after the 1995 BRAC.
The Defense Department estimates that the base closures are saving taxpayers about $7 billion each year.
"I can't think of anyone in America more qualified than Jim to be on that commission," Rep. Rob Bishop said last week, before Hansen had been chosen.
In May, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld will issue a list of bases recommended for closure or realignment and commissioners will spend the next four months visiting bases and reviewing the suggestions. In September, the commission will send the president its final list, which cannot be altered, but may be rejected in its entirety by the president or Congress.
