In a ruling released Tuesday, the RCA granted Anchor Point Energy’s application to conditionally revoke Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity No. 734, which had authorized the company to operate the short but strategic pipeline that supplies natural gas from the North Fork Unit near Anchor Point.
The decision clears the way for a transition that could move the pipeline out of RCA regulatory oversight—part of a growing trend as smaller, privately purposed pipelines look to simplify their compliance requirements.
“If the right-of-way lease authorizing the North Fork Pipeline is converted to an easement or other land use authorization not requiring regulation by us, we find that the source of our jurisdiction is eliminated,” the commission wrote in its order.
Built in 2011, the North Fork Pipeline is a modest 8-mile stretch of twin 4.5-inch lines that move natural gas from wells operated by Anchor Point Energy to ENSTAR and Alaska Pipeline Company’s distribution networks. Though small, the pipeline filled a critical supply gap at the time and still serves two key delivery points, including the off-grid community of Nikolaevsk.
The pipeline operates across state land under a lease issued by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). That lease—under the Right-of-Way Leasing Act—automatically triggers economic regulation by the RCA.
But Anchor Point Energy has asked DNR to replace the lease with an easement under the Alaska Land Act, which would remove the requirement for RCA regulation. The commission agreed to revoke the operating certificate—but only once that land use change is finalized.
Anchor Point Energy must file the official DNR decision within 10 days of receiving it, including a copy of the new easement or other authorizing document.
While this may appear to be a routine regulatory housekeeping matter, it highlights a broader shift underway in Alaska’s midstream energy infrastructure. As companies seek more tailored regulatory models for privately operated pipelines, state oversight is becoming more conditional—linked to land status rather than public use.
The RCA acknowledged that, under normal circumstances, a purpose-built line like North Fork would not fall under its jurisdiction, since it doesn’t serve multiple shippers or offer public access. In fact, its regulation until now existed solely because of the type of land lease it operated under, not because of how it functions.
“This reflects a subtle but significant shift in how narrowly tailored infrastructure might be managed going forward,” said one industry analyst. “We’re likely to see more of these certificate withdrawals as land use arrangements are restructured.”
For energy companies, the move can reduce paperwork and reporting burdens. But for regulators and public interest groups, the trend raises questions about transparency and long-term oversight, especially in an industry as essential and safety-sensitive as energy transportation.
While RCA may no longer regulate the pipeline economically, safety and land use enforcement would remain with DNR and federal pipeline safety authorities.
For now, the North Fork Pipeline will continue operations unchanged. But if DNR grants the easement, it will mark the first time in nearly 15 years that the pipeline operates without RCA oversight.
RCA appointed three commissioners—Steve DeVries, Mark Johnston, and Robert M. Pickett—to oversee the docket, with Johnston named docket manager. Administrative Law Judge Laura Barson was also appointed to manage any procedural filings.
This decision is final unless appealed within 30 days.