The Alaska Senate passed the legislation to restrict the Alaska Gasline Development Corp from pursuing any other project but the Alaska LNG Project unless milestones are reached.
The Senate vote was 13-7 and was already passed by the House last week.
That decision follows failed attempts by legislative leaders and Governor Bill Walker to make an agreement.
House Speaker Mike Chenault is the bill sponsor and said the State and partners need certainty as they pursue the largest LNG pipeline and liquefaction facility in the world…
Speaker Chenault(R-Nikiski): “I’m hoping that we can finally come to an agreement on what we’re doing there as a state and what the meaning of it is and if we can do that, maybe we can move forward on other things.”
Walker previously stated he would veto the bill if it reaches his desk and his spokeswoman Grace Jang said he still will.
The legislation states that AGDC may not pursue other projects unless one of three milestones is reached: the state or another party withdraws from Alaska LNG; Alaska LNG enters its next phase; or July 1, 2017.
Supporters of it say the bill shows the state’s support for the Alaska LNG but critics worry it might put the state at a disadvantage if LNG stalls.