Knowles asks for national task force to commercialize Alaska gas

Petroleum News Alaska

Alaska Gov. Tony Knowles has written to Vice President Dick Cheney urging that the administration support construction of the Alaska Highway Natural Gas Pipeline as part of the administration’s upcoming recommendations to Congress on a national energy strategy.

In the May 4 letter, Knowles said the Alaska Highway pipeline makes sense because developed gas could be moved to market quickly, the route follows developed corridors, is environmentally sound and will create thousands of jobs and business opportunities for Americans.

“A strong expression of support by the Bush administration urging North Slope gas producers to rapidly file application for this route could significantly accelerate pipeline construction,” Knowles said, and “also would demonstrate to the Canadian government the continuing commitment of the United States to international agreements executed between our two governments in the late 1970s.”

Knowles urged that the administration’s energy report to Congress “discuss the establishment of a task force consisting of representatives from the U.S., Canada, Alaska and other parties to accelerate the commercialization of natural gas from Northern Alaska and Canada.” Policy and technical experts on the task force could development “a comprehensive plan for producing and transporting this gas, including facilitating construction of the Highway Natural Gas Pipeline.”