WASHINGTON — The United States Department of the Interior [DOI] helped Alaska Liquified Natural Gas [LNG] pipeline over another hurdle in its permit process this week after it approved of right of way permits for the $38 billion project, the DOI announced in a press release Thursday.
The 42-inch diameter pipeline will run for over 800 miles from Alaska’s north slope, above the Arctic Circle, all the way to Nikiski, south of Anchorage, for a liquifying facility. Alaska LNG said it expects an average output of 3.1 billion cubic feet of natural gas per day.
The DOI said that of the pipelines 807 miles, 230 of those miles are across federally owned land, mostly under the management of the Bureau of Land Management and the National Parks Service.
“With this approval, the Trump Administration is keeping its commitment to work with local governments and partners,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Management Casey Hammond in a statement. “This project will enable more Alaska-produced energy to enter the market through modern, efficient technology and create opportunities for Americans.”
In addition to the pipeline, the project includes constructing a gas treatment plant in Prudhoe Bay in the far north as well as a liquification and export facility in Nikiski.
“The project includes the potential to supply Denali National Park and Preserve and nearby communities with natural gas,” said Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks Robert Wallace in the release. “Careful environmental management will ensure park resources, including wildlife, wetlands, vegetation and noise/soundscapes, will be protected during and after construction.”
Alaska LNG began its application process back in 2017, and finally received its Federal Energy Regulatory Commission approval in June 2020.
Alaska LNG says it believes the project will create over 15,000 jobs, as well as create a stable energy source for Alaskans.
