Proponents of the proposed Alaska Gas Pipeline just received some good news from the Census Bureau and U.S. Energy Information Administration – the United States is rapidly becoming a net exporter of natural gas for the first time in 60 years.
The announcement gives weight to analysts’ conviction that the United States is on track to become a net energy exporter as exports continue to rise while imports from Canada are flat or falling.
State Representative Gary Knopp (R-D30) expressed his hope for the viability of the project at Wednesday’s joint Kenai-Soldotna Chamber of Commerce luncheon.
Representative Gary Knopp: “We have countries, Japan, Korea, China, who are looking for long-term commitments. They are trying to clean up and go from coal to gas. If we have an opportunity with any of them folks, we need to pursue it.”
Knopp sited political and financial stability, generations of natural gas capacity, and a 7-10 day closer shipping route as factors that make Alaska a very competitive contender in the international gas marketplace.
Last week, Governor Bill Walker hosted the leaders of Tokyo Gas, Alaska’s very first LNG customer. Afterwards Walker said in a press release that he was, “pleased with the recent interest in the Alaska LNG project from China, Korea and Japan.”
In an August 8th press release , AGDC President Keith Meyer announced a favorable IRS ruling that “will provide significant maneuvering room as we shape the financial structure of the Alaska LNG project.”
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