Offtakes from a large North Slope natural gas pipeline could supply gas to Alaskans for decades, but delivery would come with an upfront cost of over a billion dollars.
Even then, only people in the state's population core might enjoy ready access to the gas; getting the Btus to more distant communities would take much more effort – and money.
Gas for Alaskans is a central goal of federal and state laws pertaining to any pipeline project.
State leaders have long...

