FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                 CONTACT: ROBERT DILLON (202) 224-6977

JANUARY 29, 2009                                                  or ANNE JOHNSON (202) 224-7875                                   

 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today made the following statement on the beginning of TransCanada and Exxon Mobil’s open season for an Alaska natural gas pipeline to the Lower 48:

 

“The start of an open season on a gas line represents real progress,” Murkowski said.  “This marks the first time Alaska has seen a major producer come together with a pipeline company to solicit binding commitments for the transport and delivery of North Slope natural gas to markets in the Lower 48. I applaud their commitment to helping all of us realize Alaska’s full energy potential and I wish them success in moving this project forward. This, along with the Denali Pipeline's announcement last week that it was moving up its open season to this spring, are both great steps forward in realizing Alaska's long-held goal of commercializing the state's natural gas.”