News Release

Comment Period for Alaska LNG Pipeline Closing Soon

Date: September 27, 2019
Contact: Jennifer Jonhston, 907-683-6240

DENALI PARK, Alaska: The Alaska Gasline Development Corporation (AGDC) has proposed the Alaska Liquefied Natural Gas (AK LNG) project to transport natural gas for export to foreign markets and also provide for in-state gas deliveries. Natural gas extracted at the North Slope of Alaska would be piped approximately 800 miles to a liquefaction facility at Cook Inlet.  

On June 28, 2019, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) released a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the AK LNG project for public review. The DEIS is open for public comments through October 3, 2019.The DEIS includes analysis of a proposed alignment located to the east of Denali National Park and Preserve (outside of the park), as well as a Denali alternative with an alignment through the park. The National Park Service is a cooperating agency on this EIS.

On August 16, 2019, AGDC submitted a project description change notice to FERC requesting that the proposed route be changed to the Denali alternative, citing technical engineering and constructability advantages. This officially changed the proposed route for the AK LNG pipeline to go through Denali National Park and Preserve (NPP).

The Denali National Park Improvement Act of 2013 authorizes the Secretary of Interior to approve a natural gas transmission pipeline within the boundary of DENA within, along, or near the approximately seven mile segment of the George Parks Highway. The NPS may only issue a permit consistent with the laws and regulations governing Right-of-Way (ROW) permits in the national park system, and only if the ROW is the route with “least adverse environmental effects” through DENA, as required by the Denali National Park Improvement Act. In 2018, Denali NPP wrote a Least Adverse Environmental Effects (LAEE) report related to a potential gas line route. This LAFE report considered the placement of a potential gas line route in the park and identified the least adverse environmental effect alternative.