Alaska senator welcomes gas pipeline nod

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WASHINGTON, Jan. 3 (UPI) -- U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, said building a natural gas pipeline through the Denali National Park is a low-risk option for the state.

A measure passed by the U.S. Senate would open the door for the construction of a natural gas pipeline through the national park. Murkowski, ranking member of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, sponsored the legislation, which now heads to the Republican-controlled House of Representatives.

"A natural gas pipeline route through the park would not only be less expensive to build but could also take advantage of the existing utility corridor, preventing disturbances to wildlife and environmental impacts on undisturbed lands further to the east or west of the park boundary," she was quoted by the Platts news service as saying.

In August, Alaska Gov. Sean Parnell said he considering shipping his state's natural gas to western ports for processing into liquefied natural gas for Asian markets.

Murkowski said she welcomed the idea to explore new markets for Alaskan natural resources.

The pipeline would need further environmental review. Platts reports the project would stretch 7 miles underground through the Denali National Park.