Tony

A panel set up by Alaska Gov. Tony Knowles has recommended that the state not be among the investors in a major natural gas pipeline project from Alaska’s North Slope to markets in Canada and the Lower 48 states. However, the panel’s final report to the governor highlights the multiple benefits of the pipeline project and provides 61 recommendations on how the project should proceed.

In what would be a major blow to Alaska officials, especially Gov. Tony Knowles who has pinned the remainder of his term toward getting an Alaska Highway natural gas pipeline, major producers indicated this week that because the cost would be less, they now favor a North Slope pipeline that would move north, through the Beaufort Sea, instead of across the state.

In what would be a major blow to Alaska officials, especially Gov. Tony Knowles who has pinned the remainder of his term toward getting an Alaska Highway natural gas pipeline, major producers indicated this week that because the cost would be less, they now favor a North Slope pipeline that would move north, through the Beaufort Sea, instead of across the state.

When natural gas prices were sky high a year ago, the “window looked wide open” for the long awaited Alaska natural gas pipe, which would carry supplies from the North Slope to the Lower 48. Months later, however, the announcements from producers are practically nil and President Bush’s energy policy proposal to open up more areas for drilling is barely moving. The abundant North Slope natural gas remains frozen, in more ways than one, and whether it will actually move through a pipe at some point in this decade remain questionable.

Alaska Gov. Tony Knowles is expected to sign legislation this week that would block the construction of a long-line natural gas pipeline from the North Slope region across the Beaufort Sea to Canada’s MacKenzie Delta, a move that assuredly will not sit well with producers. The governor’s office signaled Knowles’ intent last week after the legislation, SB 164, overwhelming passed both the Senate and the House.

Alaska Gov. Tony Knowles is expected to sign legislation this week that would block the construction of a long-line natural gas pipeline from the North Slope region across the Beaufort Sea to Canada’s MacKenzie Delta, a move that assuredly will not sit well with producers. The governor’s office signaled Knowles’ intent last week after the legislation, SB 164, overwhelming passed both the Senate and the House.

BP North America Gas & Power President Tony Fountain said last week that the role of liquefied natural gas was “fundamental to our North American markets,” and indicated that the company is reviewing “several opportunities for LNG terminals” along the West Coast and East Coast. BP joins El Paso, Chevron and other companies that have announced similar LNG plans in response to high domestic gas prices.

BP North America Gas & Power President Tony Fountain said this week that the role of liquefied natural gas was “fundamental to our North American markets,” and indicated that the company is reviewing “several opportunities for LNG terminals” along the West Coast and East Coast. BP joins El Paso, Chevron and othercompanies that have announced similar LNG plans in response to high domestic gas prices.

Rep. Tony Hall (D-OH) has introduced legislation to create anatural gas reserve to help stabilize the market during times oflow supply and high prices. The proposed reserve would be modeledafter the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) and the Northeast HomeHeating Oil reserve, the latter of which allows heating oilsupplies to be drawn down during times of tight supply.