02/23/2005 01:00 PM House RESOURCES

HCR  2-IN-STATE NATURAL GAS NEEDS                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
CO-CHAIR  SAMUELS  announced that  the  first  order of  business                                                               
would  be  HOUSE  CONCURRENT RESOLUTION  NO.  2  Urging  Governor                                                               
Murkowski to take  quick action to conduct,  approve, or sanction                                                               
a study  of in-state  natural gas needs  and take-off  points for                                                               
intrastate  use  of natural  gas  transported  in a  North  Slope                                                               
natural gas pipeline.                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
HENRY WEBB,  Staff to Representative Ralph  Samuels, Alaska State                                                               
Legislature, said  the resolution  is the  result of  the Federal                                                               
Energy  Regulatory Commission  ruling of  February 9,  2005, that                                                               
requires a study of in-state needs  for gas to be conducted by an                                                               
agency of the state "before an open season can occur."                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
LISA  PARKER,  Spokeswoman,  Agrium   Inc.,  Kenai,  said  it  is                                                               
"important for  the state to  consider value-added  industries in                                                               
the  state if  we want  to continue  to sustain  our economy  and                                                               
grow."                                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
CO-CHAIR  RAMRAS moved  to report  HCR  2 out  of committee  with                                                               
individual recommendations.  There being  no objection, HCR 2 was                                                               
reported from the House Resources Standing Committee.                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
CO-CHAIR  SAMUELS said  that  he  plans to  make  HCR  2 a  House                                                               
Resources Standing Committee bill while on the floor.