Fairbanks, Alaska – Representative Eric Feige, R-Chickaloon, offered the following comments Thursday after the signing of Senate Bill 138 by Governor Sean Parnell.
“The gas line bill that passed the Legislature holds the best chance yet for monetizing Alaska’s North Slope gas resources. We should move ahead with eyes wide open, but we should definitely move ahead.
“In the House Resources Committee we devoted 26 meetings over six months to the subject of a gas line. We met for over 60 hours of committee meetings in addition to the innumerable hours spent discussing issues with stakeholders and the administration. Our public process was open, fair, and exhaustive resulting in legislation that passed with more than 86% approval.
“I was pleased to be selected by the Governor to carry the bill on the House Floor for and to attend the bill signing in Fairbanks. It has the potential to bring a healthy revenue stream to Alaska for many years. But as we move forward, we should investigate all aspects of the deal, preserve as much optionality as we can, and look to minimize the financial risks to the treasury as much as possible. These are exciting times.”
