The Senate earlier this week passed legislation that would allow a natural gas pipeline to be built through the Denali National Park in Alaska. However, the House of Representatives failed to act on the measure before the 112th Congress adjourned.

The bill, which is sponsored by Alaska Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Mark Begich, is expected to be reintroduced in the new Congress.

The Denali National Park and Preserve Natural Gas Pipeline Act (S. 302) would allow the National Park Service, subject to a National Environmental Policy Act review, to authorize a right-of-way for construction of an in-state gas pipeline for roughly seven miles along the George Parks Highway.

“It is important for Alaskans that our North Slope natural gas has a clear legal path to market,” said Murkowski, the ranking member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. “This bill clears a key hurdle to constructing a pipeline along the [George] Parks Highway and allow decisions on the best route to be based on economic and commercial grounds, rather than out of fear of lengthy permitting delays to win access rights across federal lands. Getting our gas to market is vital for the future of Southcentral [Alaska], the state’s economy and all Alaskans.”

Southcentral Alaska “faces a serious gas shortage as early as 2014,” Murkowski said previously (see Daily GPI, Sept. 5, 2012; April 6, 2009). “We can’t wait for construction of a larger gas line to the Lower 48 before we start addressing our own energy needs,” she said.

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