Bill introduced to mandate highway route for gas pipeline

Petroleum News Alaska Staff

A bill to mandate a southern route for a gas pipeline was introduced in the House Jan. 19.

House Bill 83 is a committee bill from the House Special Committee on Oil and Gas. Committee Chairman Scott Ogan, R-Palmer, said in a Jan. 19 statement that the state constitution “clearly says the Legislature has the obligation to develop resources consistent with the public interest, and to the maximum benefit of the people.

“It’s clear,” he said, “that Alaska’s interests are best served by a southern route, and this bill puts that into law.”

The bill also requires that the pipeline provide the built-in capacity for a spur line to Southcentral and a line to Valdez for liquefied natural gas.

“We must keep an open mind, and make sure that we can take advantage of whatever technologies ultimately can bring the maximum benefit of this gas for Alaskans,” Ogan said.