Bring On the Arctic’s Natural Gas…

The Alaska gas pipeline project was very much part of the discussion mix today when the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee convened to hear the opinions from a wide array of experts on the role of natural gas in mitigating climate change.  Witnesses from BP, TransCanada, Xcel Energy, Calpine, Energy Information Administration (EIA) and Dow Chemical all testified. The conversation varied from the projection of natural gas supplies, volatility of the natural gas market to the implications of unconventional fuel sources such as shale on other resources like coal. 

BP and TransCanada discussed the need for Alaska’s natural gas and emphasized that the natural gas market was big enough for all the new shale gas and Alaska’s gas. Their statements sounded a lot like those of Rod Lowman’s from America’s Natural Gas Alliance two weeks ago.  During question-and-answer session, Senator Lisa Murkowski [R-AK] asked them again about Alaska’s natural gas.  Both TransCanada and BP agreed that Alaska’s gas is a supply component for the North American market and would help keep prices level in the future.  TransCanada also emphasized that the natural gas industry has increased infrastructure in recent years.  Having a transportation system to get natural gas to the markets will play an important role in stabilizing gas prices.

Finally, they talked about the potential effects of influx levels of natural gas on manufacturing and jobs.  It was a great discussion.  You can read the witness statements and listen to the hearing here.

Jennifer Thompson
Director of Communications and Policy Support
Office of the Federal Coordinator Alaska Natural Gas Transportation Projects