The Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly adopted a resolution earlier in August through consent agenda supporting the Alaska LNG Project. Through its passage, it requests timely completion of the federal review and permitting processes, including a Department of Energy Export License, as being in the best interests of local, state, and federal energy security and resiliency.
Special Assistant to the Mayor, Dil Uhlin, told the Legislative Committee:
“So, the Alaska LNG Project personnel put on a presentation at the Kenai Visitor Center. They were just giving an update of their status and where they’re at. They had some hopeful things happening here in the future that are aligning with some bonding that’s presented itself through one of the infrastructure bills. With that being said, it’s going to help them lower their overall cost and get them a little more competitive. A lot of their permitting have been completed and they have asked for a resolution to continue our support for them and for the community of Nikiski to get the pipeline and the processing center at that location.”
Importantly, the resolution identifies the extensive benefits of the project to the state’s economy, as well as Alaska and federal energy security and resiliency. The resolution also urges state and federal agencies to conclude that the required ‘hard look’ analysis has been met and specifically requests the Department of Energy complete the SEIS process and uphold its order allowing an export license for the Alaska LNG Project.
Additionally, Alaska Sens. Sullivan and Murkowski sent a letter to Energy Department Secretary Jennifer Granholm expressing their support for the Alaska LNG Project, and urging the department to ‘complete, without delay, finalization of the draft supplemental environmental impact statement (SEIS)’ for the project.
The letter calls for the DOE to reissue their approval of the project.