Two Republican lawmakers introduced new legislation Tuesday to push an in-state natural gas pipeline.
House Speaker Mike Chenault (R-Nikiski) and Rep. Mike Hawker (R-Anchorage) have introduced the legislation that would, in part, turn three current legislative bills into one, in an effort to address Alaskans' energy needs.
Chenault says one of the current bills his legislation would include is a law that would put together a fund to pay for work related to an in-state pipeline. The Legislature approved $200 million for it last year.
"I truly, in my heart, feel that we are closer than ever to seeing an Alaska natural gas pipeline on the verge of being constructed -- a pipeline that actually will bring Alaska's gas to Alaskans," Hawker said.
The bill would also give more power to the Alaska Gasline Development Corp., which is pushing the in-state gas line efforts.
Chenault says the bill would get the state ready for a project to begin, and he says his version of an in-state gas line would work, even if Gov. Sean Parnell's plan of a larger export gas line come through.
"Whatever happens in the future, we want to make sure we're positioned as a state to move forward on a project, whatever that project might end up being," Chenault said.
Sen. Lesil McGuire (R-Anchorage), on the Senate majority, says she thinks the proposal is a good idea, but she says there will likely be some points of concern in the Legislature, like one provision that exempts an in-state gas pipeline from local taxes during its construction.
"Local communities tend to be more sensitive about their tax bases, so I expect that's something that will be a topic of conversation," McGuire said.
Chenault says he'll send his bill to at least the House Resources and Finance committees for a closer look.
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