WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, today released the following statement in response to the announcement that the major North Slope producers and the TransCanada Pipeline Co. have agreed to pursue a single pipeline project:

“It’s encouraging that the major leaseholders are once again talking about a single pipeline project to commercialize Alaska’s North Slope natural gas. This is the first time in many, many years that there’s been alignment among the leaseholders, TransCanada and the state. That in itself is good news.

“Japan is aggressively looking to sign a long-term supply contract for natural gas, as are other Asian markets. Alaska should seize this opportunity to get its gas to a market that is currently paying up to $16 per thousand cubic feet. It’s imperative that all of the players involved do everything possible to accelerate the decision-making process to ensure that the window of opportunity doesn’t close on us.”

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For further information, please contact Robert Dillon at 202.224.6977 or robert_dillon@energy.senate.gov or Megan Hermann at 202.224.7875 or megan_hermann@energy.senate.gov.

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