Legislators to hear the case for a gas line as the effort stalls

Alaska legislators will host a listening session Thursday in Anchorage on the proposed North Slope natural gas pipeline, hearing from mayors, utility executives and the project's developers. The 13 panelists — including borough mayors, utilities and the pipeline's developers — include no scheduled critics of the project.

The session is convened by the Alaska Gasline Caucus and was announced by the Alaska Senate Republican Caucus, which sits in the minority; the Senate is run by a 14-member bipartisan coalition. Among those scheduled are Mat-Su Borough Mayor Edna DeVries, Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Peter Micciche, and representatives of the developer, Glenfarne, along with Hilcorp, Enstar and the Alaska Gasline Development Corporation. Co-chair Sen. George Rauscher, R-Sutton, said the aim is to hear from "the people who would experience the benefits and challenges of an Alaska gasline."

The event comes as the push to advance the pipeline has stalled. The Legislature is in special session. Gov. Mike Dunleavy, who called the session, has not sent legislation, and only a few members have gaveled in for pro forma "technical sessions" in Juneau. A compromise bill died in the House earlier this year amid a dispute over how to tax the project — Dunleavy and Glenfarne say a tax change is essential to secure financing, while some legislators pushed to add a corporate income tax they called a matter of fairness.

Supporters see the long-sought pipeline, which would carry North Slope gas to market, as central to Alaska's energy future and a source of jobs and revenue. It is the latest version of an ambition that has failed to reach construction for decades. Glenfarne, which owns 75% of the project alongside the state's 25%, has not yet decided to build.