Press Release Says, Lt. Gov. Parnell Meets with TransCanada and Exxon Officials

(July 15, 2009, Anchorage, AK)- Lieutenant Governor Sean Parnell today met with officials from TransCanada Alaska and ExxonMobil Corporation to discuss ongoing efforts to develop a natural gas pipeline.  Parnell reaffirmed Alaska’s ownership of our resources and the state’s commitment to honor the Alaska Gasline Inducement Act (AGIA) framework.

Parnell said, “Alaskans own the resources of our state and as we move forward with any project, I will always place the interests of Alaskans first.  AGIA has provided the momentum and a clear path for bringing Alaska’s gas to market.  Our administration will continue this effort as we work together through the next phases of development.”

Last month ExxonMobil Corporation and TransCanada announced an alignment, agreeing to work together on the project. A competing pipeline project, Denali, backed by BP and ConocoPhillips, is also in the development phase.

Parnell praised ExxonMobil’s alignment with the state’s AGIA partner, TransCanada, saying, “I expect more discussions to occur between the AGIA project and the other producer companies.”

Sean Parnell will be sworn in as Alaska’s Governor July 26.