Western Governors Support Alaska Pipeline

Yukon Premier Pat Duncan says support for construction of the Alaska Highway Pipeline continues to gain momentum, with western governors in the United States unanimously approved a motion supporting the development at their annual meeting in San Diego, California.

"This is very good news," Duncan said. "We have always believed that the Alaska Highway pipeline route is the best way to get Alaska natural gas to market, now other governments are realizing the merits of this project."

The two page resolution calls on the governments of the U.S. and Canada to work together to support development of the Alaska Highway pipeline, she said.

The resolution said the existing pipeline treaty between Canada and the U.S. is still valid and construction of the Alaska Highway route would provide Americans with an adequate fuel supply at a reasonable price.

The governors' statement said construction of the Alaska Highway pipeline would be the biggest private construction project in North American history and they estimated that gas could be flowing within six years.

Many of the states represented at the Western Governors meeting depend on gas for home heating, electricity generation and other industrial uses.

"I look forward to working with Alaska Governor Tony Knowles and the other governors to convince industry that the Alaska Highway pipeline is the project that can best deliver natural gas to the lower 48 states in the most environmentally acceptable, timely and cost-effective manner," said Duncan.