RCA postponing Polar LNG decision

The Regulatory Commission of Alaska is putting off its decision on a small North Slope natural gas pipeline for another month as it works through some issues on the case.

Polar LNG LLC is seeking certification to build and operate a pipeline from Flow Station 1 at the Prudhoe Bay unit to a pad in Deadhorse for a liquefied natural gas operation.

Although RCA regulations require a ruling on certification cases within six months and Polar LNG originally requested an expedited ruling when it applied in late July 2011, the RCA decided to push off its timeline for several reasons. First, in an October hearing, Polar LNG acknowledged that issues unrelated to the regulatory matter might delay construction of the pipeline this winter. Second, the RCA asked for more information from Polar LNG, but said its “resources have been absorbed by the recent TAPS case and to adequately adjudicate the issues in this docket, additional time is required.”

The RCA now plans to rule on the matter by Feb. 29.

—Eric Lidji