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The Alaska gas pipeline builder will need numerous permits, orders, approvals, letters, certificates and other authorizations from federal agencies to begin construction.

Agencies must ensure that affects on endangered species by construction will be adequately minimized and mitigated, that crossed waterways will remain navigable, that the steel pipe can combat corrosion and withstand the strain of burial in permafrost, that environmental damage is minimized, that the pipeline builder has a financially sound project, among many other issues.

Below we provide a guide to the major authorizations required, the key agencies involved and other stops the builder must make on its road to construction.

Permits Matrix

This is a searchable database of the major federal permits and other authorizations needed for the multibillion-dollar pipeline project. The matrix includes information on each authorization and the agencies involved, legal citation, paperwork needs, and approval timelines for them. Check back often as we will be updating the matrix regularly.  

Implementation plan and attention items

The implementation plan outlines the specific responsibilities of over 20 federal agencies when permitting a gas pipeline project, each agency's anticipated milestones and process for implementing its actions, and the information the agency requires to meet its responsibilities. Below is the first phase of the implementation plan, followed by a list of attention items and their status. Every six months, the Office of the Federal Coordinator reports on the most pressing attention items as of that time.

National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Information

National Environmental Policy Act procedural requirements must be followed for any federal actions, including issuing permits, actions on or affecting federal lands and facilities, and new or revised federal rules, regulations, plans or procedures.  There will be multiple federal actions for the TransCanada/ExxonMobil Alaska Pipeline Project; the major action being the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission certificate of public convenience and necessity.  Other federal approvals include an Army Corps of Engineers permit for impacts to wetlands and other waters, a right-of-way grant from the Bureau of Land Management for crossing federal lands, and many more.  

Environmental Review Documents

Several documents will be produced throughout the environmental review process to support permitting of this project.  These documents include resource reports, public notices, and the environmental impact statement; the OFC will update this page as these documents become available, so please check back often!

Read the Draft Resource Reports >