"If it's good for Alaska, do it; if it's bad for Alaska, screw it!" **.

• Author: McCorkle, Vern C.
• Position: Port Authority

"Building Alaska's gas pipeline is the most important economic development project in Alaska's history and my highest priority for Alaska," Gov. Frank Murkowski has declared. That's statesmanship and to be applauded.

The Port Authority, like ANGDA, has voter approval, but more importantly it also has a signed development and purchase contract from San Diego-based Sempra Energy, the second-largest energy provider in North America, and permits in hand from Yukon Pacific, which are necessary to build the line.

With Sempra backing, the Port Authority will construct a gas-conditioning plant on the North Slope, a pipeline to Valdez with a spur line to Southcentral Alaska, a gas liquification plant in Valdez, facilities to process commercial products like propane, butane and other non-gas liquids (ngl) byproducts, plus storage and docking facilities at Valdez.

All without government subsidies! Therefore, the Port Authority does not require legislative approval to go forward.

"Alaska will benefit most from a project that ships natural gas to the West Coast of the Lower 48, rather than to Alberta/Chicago," Sempra President Darcel Hulse told the Legislative Audit and Budget...