Alaska’s gas for Alaskans first

Leave it to regular folk to inject common sense into a sometimes convoluted political process.

As the state Legislature continues to meet and debate Gov. Sarah Palin’s Alaska Gasline Inducement Act proposal, which would grant a license to Trans-Canada Corp. to tap into our state’s vast natural gas resources, Mat-Su Valley residents are divided on whether AGIA is a good idea. At a Tuesday town hall meeting in Palmer, local residents spoke for and against the proposal, but nearly all agreed on one point.

One very important point.

Alaska needs its gas. Whether AGIA is approved and TransCanada builds its proposed 1,700-mile pipeline with a terminus in Alberta, Canada, or another option is chosen to get the gas, that Alaska protect its residents first should be the No. 1 priority for lawmakers. Any agreement needs to include provisions for Alaska tapping into the pipeline to provide the abundant and cheap source of fuel.

It’s old-fashioned Alaska common sense.

“We can negotiate many of the details as we go along, but we do need gas,” noted Borough Mayor Curt Menard, who said he was speaking Tuesday for himself and not the Borough.

He was bolstered by the testimony of Valdez Mayor Bert Cottle, who rightly pointed out that “Alaska’s gas is for Alaskans. That maximizes the benefit to Alaska.”

As gasoline and other energy prices continue to escalate, more abundant, varied and cost-efficient sources of energy are vital to maintaining the prosperity Alaska enjoys. As part of an overall state energy plan that includes renewables and intelligent use of fossil fuels, AGIA has great potential. As with many complicated and involved negotiations, the Legislature has only to look for the common denominator of how it will bring gas to all Alaskans and how the deal will benefit the state.

If AGIA or any other plan to tap our natural gas won’t do both, the rest of the debate is moot.