Legislature names members to gas pipeline committee

Petroleum News Alaska Staff

Members of the Joint Committee on Natural Gas Pipelines, established by the Legislature in May, were named June 7 and 8 by Senate President Rick Halford and Speaker of the House Brian Porter.

Appointees from the Senate are: Senators John Torgerson, R-Kasilof, Rick Halford, R-Chugiak, Pete Kelly, R-Fairbanks, and Johnny Ellis, D-Anchorage. Sen. Donald Olson, D-Nome, was selected as an alternate member.

Appointees from the House are: Representatives Joe Green, R-Anchorage, Brian Porter, R-Anchorage, Scott Ogan, R-Palmer, and John Davies, D-Fairbanks. Representatives Mike Chenault, R-Nikiski, Hugh Fate, R-Fairbanks, and Reggie Joule, D-Kotzebue, were selected as alternate members.

Sen. Torgerson was selected to chair the committee and Rep. Green was chosen as the vice-chair.

The committee was established to review and further efforts to commercialize Alaska’s North Slope natural gas reserves and take whatever action may be appropriate to ensure that the best interests of the state are protected. The committee will represent the Legislature in dealings with government authorities in Canada and Washington, D.C., the governor’s office and independent interests.

The committee will hold hearings and hire consultants and experts as needed.

“Technological advances and increased demand have created this window of opportunity to bring our natural gas to market,” said Torgerson. “We do not have the luxury of waiting until next January to resume our study of project proposals and how we can facilitate them, so this committee was established to continue working over the interim between legislative sessions.”

“The North American Gas Pipeline Group, Yukon Pacific, Foothills, the LNG Sponsor Group and other private interests are all going to be moving forward during the summer and fall to hopefully submit applications for processing our gas,” said Torgerson. “It is important not only that the Legislature has a seat at the table, but that we are available over the interim to help this process in any way we can.”

The committee is scheduled to meet in Anchorage July 17 and 18 to hear natural gas pipeline presentations.