2007-03-05                     House Journal                      Page 0384
HB 177                                                                                                                        
HOUSE BILL NO. 177 by the House Rules Committee by request of                                                                   
the Governor, entitled:                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
     "An Act relating to the Alaska Gasline Inducement Act;                                                                     
     establishing the Alaska Gasline Inducement Act matching                                                                    
     contribution fund; providing for an Alaska Gasline Inducement                                                              
     Act coordinator; making conforming amendments; and providing                                                               
     for an effective date."                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
was read the first time and referred to the House Special Committee on                                                          
Oil & Gas and the Resources and Finance Committees.                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
The following fiscal note(s) apply:                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
1.  Zero, Dept. of Administration                                                                                               
2.  Zero, Dept. of Commerce, Community, & Economic Development                                                                  
3.  Zero, Dept. of Natural Resources                                                                                            
4.  Fiscal, Dept. of Natural Resources                                                                                          
5.  Fiscal, Dept. of Revenue                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
The Governor's transmittal letter dated March 2, 2007, follows:                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
"Dear Speaker Harris:                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
Under the authority of Article III, Section 18, of the Alaska                                                                   
Constitution, I am transmitting a bill that facilitates commercialization                                                       
of Alaska's North Slope natural gas resources and promotes continued                                                            
exploration and development of those resources.  The bill will induce                                                           
expeditious construction of a natural gas pipeline to transport Alaska's                                                        
North Slope natural gas to market using a process that is fair,                                                                 
transparent, and competitive.  Our nation's energy markets are hungry                                                           
for Alaska's gas resources, and Alaskans have waited for decades to                                                             
see these resources developed.                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
Earlier this week I had several successful meetings with federal                                                                
officials in Washington, D.C., including the distinguished members of                                                           
Alaska's Congressional delegation.  These meetings affirmed for me                                                              
that it is time for Alaska's natural gas resources to be developed in                                                           
order to meet the energy demands of our nation.  The Chairman of the