Governor Parnell Clears Way for Alaska Gasline

Governor Sean Parnell signed landmark legislation creating a state entity charged with getting Alaska’s natural gas to Alaskans. House Bill 4 gives the Alaska Gasline Development Corporation (AGDC) the authority to develop, finance, and operate a gas pipeline from the North Slope, serving Fairbanks and Southcentral, at the lowest possible cost.

“Despite our plentiful energy sources, high energy costs remain a huge burden on Alaskans,” Governor Parnell said. “This legislation moves Alaska forward in securing a reliable, reasonably-priced, long-term energy solution for Alaskans.”

HB 4, co-sponsored by Speaker Mike Chenault and Representative Mike Hawker, empowers AGDC to connect Alaskans with clean, secure, affordable natural gas. The bill also directs AGDC to consider ways to get gas and propane to even more Alaskans using other transportation mechanisms. The bill establishes AGDC as an independent state corporation, provides a regulatory framework, and calls on the state to assist AGDC in getting gas to Alaskans at the lowest possible rates.

[mappress]
LNG World News Staff, May 22, 2013; Image: gov.state.ak.us