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Gas use important to border roadhouse at Beaver Creek
Patricia Jones, PNA contributing writer
-- Fourth in a series -- Road signs warn motorists leaving this town near the Alaska and Yukon Territory border about the distance to the next fuel source, advising drivers to top off before continuing.
One of the few Beaver Creek businesses providing that service is the 1202 Motor Inn, distinct with the colorful Santa and sleigh adorning the front porch roof of the multifaceted roadhouse.
Repeat drivers of the Alaska Highway are “very supportive” of the business, said Martin Beadle, who helps owners Robert and Caulene Beatty. “People from Alaska usually make for here.”
The business could use a cheaper and cleaner fuel source, one that could be provided by a natural gas pipeline running from Alaska south along the highway.
“We’d like to see the gas come through … maybe it would be tapped off here and we could use it, not rely on propane and oil,” Beadle said. “Everybody is in the market for that.”
Right now, the business — which provides 19 guest rooms, nine hostel spots, an RV campground, restaurant, store and fuel sales — operates its own diesel-fueled generator plant. Propane provides heat. Fuel expensive That power plant “runs all winter … we have a little bit of business with the highest costs. Propane and oil ain’t cheap,” he said. “We’re looking at the natural gas side for heating if something ever does happen.”
Residents of this tiny border town want to see the gas pipeline project built, although they don’t anticipate much economic impact, Beadle said. “Everybody as far as I know is for it.”
The southern route, following the Alaska Highway through northwestern Canada, is also preferred. Beadle cited environmental consequences of building through the Mackenzie River valley as one reason to choose the highway route. A large fuel spill would “make twice the mess” in that undeveloped land.
And those who oppose any kind of resource development are hypocrites, he added.
“They make a lot of noise in the south, but how many are actually interested in the environment? They all jump in their cars and drive around city and heat their homes, but never give any second thought about where it comes from.”
Another benefit a gas line could bring is construction of a rail line, connecting existing train transportation in Canada with Alaska’s network. “You can’t open the newspapers without reading about it,” Beadle said. “I figure they need a railroad to bring pipe in for the line.”
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