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FERC poses a couple hundred more questions to AGDC

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has released nearly 200 more “data requests” regarding aspects of the AK LNG project. 

Many of the questions posed to the Alaska Gasline Development Corporation seek more detailed information about such things as preserving permafrost along the pipeline from the North Slope, plans for creating 29 camps for construction crews and the methods planned for crossing rivers along the way. 

But some questions are more Cook Inlet-specific. For example, FERC wants to know more about why the AGDC rejected the Mat-Su Borough’s terminal at Port Mackenzie; how the underwater pipeline across the inlet will be protected from damage; and further analysis of the effects of warm ballast water from LNG tankers that would be dumped into Cook Inlet.

Frank Richards, senior vice president of the AGDC says answers to those questions and nearly 200 more are currently being formulated. 

“What we see is FERC is really trying to hone in on specifics where they’re asking us to declare financial information, where they need to fill in data gaps essential to their drafting of the Environmental Impact Statement, which they have scheduled to publish in February of 2019,” he said.

He said AGDC has 20 days to file a response, or an expected date for a response to all of them.

There’s also the question of beach access near the terminal for locals. 

“Kenai LNG plant has been in operation for the last four-plus decades, and Homeland Security has allowed for setnetting operations during operation of that plant, and from our perspective that will continue on during operations of the AK LNG plant,” he said.

Soldotna’s Lisa Parker is responsible for “stakeholder” engagement for AGDC. She says beach access has come up during every public meeting they’ve held.

“As Frank said, from the north side, the access that people have had, will continue. On the south side, down around South Miller Loop area, as Frank indicated, people have an agreement and get access through a private property owner. And those setnetters on the south side, that’s how they access,” she said.

Richards cautioned however that Homeland Security may change its rules, and that AK LNG will be watching carefully.

AGDC communication manager Jesse Carlstrom said they will be holding another public meeting on Oct 17 at the Nikiski Rec Center to discuss the latest developments with Nikiski residents.

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