Serving western Alaska

As it looks at ways natural gas could be delivered to Alaska residents on the Railbelt, the state is also looking at ways to move natural gas to western Alaska, in-state gas project manager Harry Noah told legislators Sept. 15.

Donlin Creek would have the potential to be a big customer for natural gas going into the western part of the state, but having lower-cost energy could truly have a positive impact on residents in the area, Noah said.

And a winter road into the area would “dramatically” reduce the cost of putting in a pipeline.

While folks in the region worry about the effects of a road, Noah said, that winter road could gradually be improved to provide all-season travel, opening up an area which is highly mineralized.

—Kristen Nelson