Trans-Alaska Gas Pipeline Gets Backing
By Dan Morgan and Peter Behr
Washington Post Staff Writers
Tuesday, September 16, 2003; Page A02
Signaling initial progress in drafting energy legislation, top Republican negotiators announced yesterday that they had agreed to endorse a trans-Alaska route for a new pipeline carrying natural gas to U.S. markets while delaying decisions on possible federal subsidies.
The tentative agreement on the pipeline, and on a series of relatively non-controversial issues involving federal support for energy conservation, hydrogen, and coal research, was reached by Sen. Pete V. Domenici (R-N.M.) and Rep. W.J. "Billy" Tauzin (R-La.). In an announcement, they said their proposal would be presented to Democrats and other members of a House-Senate conference committee today.
Despite complaints from Democrats that they are being shut out of the negotiating process, the Republican lawmakers said they "looked forward to an open and bipartisan process that will deliver final language to conferees for a vote by early October."
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http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A15718-2003Sep15.htmlThe story goes on to say:
"The draft language specifically prohibits an alternative route that would bring natural gas from Alaska's Prudhoe Bay to a pipeline hub in western Canada through a pipeline under the Beaufort Sea, part of the Arctic Ocean, and down Canada's Mackenzie Valley. This route has the backing of a group of U.S. energy investors, but not the major oil companies that own gas reserves in the region. Support for the $20 billion gas project has risen this year, reflecting growing concern that the United States could face chronic tight supplies and higher prices for natural gas."