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The 27th Alaska State Legislature, 2011 - 2012 |
  
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Sponsor Statement: House Bill 9
In-State Gasline Development Corp
Passed House!
Sponsored by Rep. Mike Chenault
Co-Sponsors: Rep. Millett, Rep. Thompson, Rep. Hawker, Rep. Pruitt, Rep. Johnson, Rep. Costello, Sen. Huggins, Sen. Giessel, Sen. McGuire, Sen. Menard, Sen. Meyer |
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“An Act relating to the Alaska Gasline Development Corporation, a subsidiary created by the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation; establishing and relating to the in-state natural gas pipeline fund; making certain information provided to or by the Alaska Gasline Development Corporation exempt from inspection as a public record; relating to the Joint In-State Gasline Development Team; relating to the judicial review of a right-of-way lease or an action or decision related to the development or construction of an oil or gas pipeline on state land; relating to the lease of a right-of-way by the Alaska Gasline Development Corporation or a successor in interest for a gas pipeline project developed by the Alaska Gasline Development Corporation; relating to the regulation by the Regulatory Commission of Alaska of an in-state natural gas pipeline that is expressly authorized to provide transportation as a contract carrier; relating to the Alaska Natural Gas Development Authority; relating to the procurement of certain services by the Alaska Natural Gas Development Authority; exempting property of a project developed by the Alaska Gasline Development Corporation from property taxes before the commencement of commercial operations; and providing for an effective date.”
Posted: March 27, 2012 : v27-LS0075-Q.A
Bill Version: CSHB 9(FIN) AM
Status: (S) CRA : 2012-03-28
Nearly two years ago, the Legislature passed House Bill 369 advancing an instate natural gas pipeline. Since that time, the Alaska Gasline Development Corporation has made tremendous progress developing a project along a solid timeline. It is imperative to maintain that momentum in pursuit of instate gas for Alaskans, while keeping open all options for participating in an aligned project.
Committee Substitute for House Bill 9 (FIN) will refine a solid, early proposal into a plan. This legislation does not call for construction of an instate gas pipeline, but allows AGDC to advance a commercial project to that stage. The bill also provides AGDC the tools to be a strong, participating partner on behalf of Alaskans in a large-diameter export gasline project.
Along with a comprehensive update on progress to date, AGDC presented the Legislature in July 2011 with a series of recommendations enabling the next stage in project planning. Those recommendations are incorporated within this committee substitute.
It is my intention to provide AGDC the tools that will allow additional refinements to the project plan required to hold an open season in 2013; and, if shipper and buyer interest is sufficient and meets AGDC's mandate, to allow AGDC to decide whether to advance the project to construction.. The state has invested hundreds of millions of dollars over the years in pursuit of our dream of gas, but we've consistently been held back by various roadblocks, internal and external, political and commercial. I want to clear those for this project.
This legislation is enabling. It would facilitate gas development in the state of Alaska even if the plan already on the table - AGIA - develops into a project. It does not block or inhibit any other pipeline project from advancing. It would facilitate instate gas should we see the alignment of interests and projects the Governor is encouraging among private parties and others interested in both commercialization of North Slope gas and delivering Alaska's gas to Alaskans.
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