Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that specifies the powers of the Alaska Gasline Development Corporation and the Regulatory Commission of Alaska

Highlights:

• Authorizes the Alaska Gasline Development Corporation to develop natural gas pipelines to deliver natural gas to public utilities and industrial customers in areas of the state where natural gas may be delivered at commercially reasonable rates (Sec. 2).

• Specifies that the Alaska Gasline Development Corporation has the power of eminent domain to acquire land (Sec. 2).

• Specifies that the Alaska Gasline Development Corporation has the power to issue bonds and incur indebtedness, but that this debt will not become the debt of the state (Sec. 2).

• Specifies that making natural gas from Alaska available for export from the state is an “essential function of the state”(Sec. 16).

• Authorizes the Regulatory Commission of Alaska to review all contracts entered into by the Alaska Gasline Development Corporation with public utilities (Sec. 26).

• Authorizes the Regulatory Commission of Alaska to (Sec. 29):
• Regulate an in-state natural gas pipeline that is required to provide transportation by way of contract carriage;
• Require permits for the construction, expansion, connection, and operation of an in-state natural gas pipeline; and
• Investigate by complaint or its own initiative, disputes related to the rules, regulations, services, practices, and facilities, as long as the disputes:
• Are not subject to dispute resolution in a pipeline carrier's contract;
• Relate to an “unreasonable” decrease in the quantity or quality of service to a public utility;
• Have not been resolved by the in-state gas pipeline carrier; and
• Are disputes in which it “clearly” appears that immediate and irreparable injury, loss, or damage will result to the peace, health, safety, or general welfare of the public from a violation.

• Prohibits the Regulatory Commission of Alaska from requiring rates, rate design, or tariff rules that are not specified in this bill (Sec. 29).

• Specifies that the taxable property of the Alaska Gasline Development Corporation is exempt from state and local taxes (Sec. 30).

Full Bill Text