FERC Sets Public Meeting Agenda for AK LNG Draft EIS

FERC Sets Public Meeting Agenda for AK LNG Draft EIS

August 14, 2019

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission announced on July 26th that it would hold eight meetings across Alaska, designed to gather public comment on Alaska’s proposed LNG pipeline’s draft environmental impact statement (DEIS).

The LNG project, estimated in the $40-45 billion range to build, has been under state control.  Recently, the board overseeing the project has stepped back its efforts, stating that it plans to finish the DEIS then pause until the project is more feasible and the market more viable.

Power The Future acknowledges that current market conditions make it difficult for the AKLNG project to move past the DEIS stage at this time. However, the opportunities for jobs and revenue for the State in the future are tremendous with this project.  We anticipate exceptional amounts of push back from the eco-extremists who fight every development project in Alaska, and encourage Alaskans to involve themselves in this public hearing process in September.

Per FERC’s announcement, “[t]he primary goal of the public comment meetings is to have you identify specific environmental issues and concerns with the draft environmental impact statement.  All verbal comments will be recorded by a court reporter and become part of the public record.”

FERC will lead the public meetings, with other agency representatives possibly in attendance to answer specific questions.

Public comments are due by October 3rd, at which time FERC will review and issue its final EIS in March, 2020, with a final Commission vote scheduled for June, 2020 on the total project application.

The public comment meetings – set for 5pm-8pm at each site – have the following schedule:

Monday, September 9

Inupiat Heritage Center, Utqiagvik

Trapper Creek Elementary School, Trapper Creek

Tuesday, September 10

Kisik Community Center, Nuiqsut

Houston Fire Station, Houston

Wednesday, September 11

Tri-Valley Community Center, Healy

Nikiski Recreation Center, Nikiski

Thursday, Septemer 12

Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center, Fairbanks

Dena’ina Center, Anchorage